Ever “shoot off your mouth” about something and then become aware – painfully aware – that you didn’t have all the facts? Your “shooting off the mouth” might have been because of frustration, discouragement, pain, pride or just plain old anger… but somehow, someone made you aware you were mistaken – you didn’t have all the facts – you didn’t really know what was going on! And you were embarrassed!
Happened to a good man… Job in the Bible! (And his friends had the same problem!)
Job’s friends thought they knew why he had experienced the loss of everything – why he was experiencing pain and suffering! They thought it had to be some sin in his life, lack of concern for others, or arrogance and pride! Job strongly defended himself, declaring his integrity! He thought God was doing all those bad things to Him. He couldn’t understand why all these things were happening! He felt God wasn’t listening to him and perhaps He didn’t care! You can read it for yourself… And he “shot off his mouth” about it… and he “shot off his mouth” to his “friends” (who probably deserved it!).
God confronted Job! He called him to account! It was almost as if God said, “OK smarty-pants, tell my what’s going on! You explain to Me what I’m doing if you know so much!” And when God did it, Job was utterly ashamed… and repented! Here it is right out of the Bible…
“Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know! … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You! Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes!’” (From Job 42:1–6 ESV)
Good response Job! Acknowledge your error, ask for forgiveness, and humbly seek God’s perspective on things. Hey, we’ve all done it … under pressure, pain, or persecution (or what we perceive as persecution), we’ve “shot off our mouth!” Good news is, God forgives, restores and ultimately will provide perspective! Oh, and what about Job’s “friends” who were guilty of “shooting of their mouth” as well? You really need to read the next passage – Job 42:7-9!
Coffee With The Lord 