I used to think that I knew a lot, but I have realized that I know very little. In fact, there’s so much that I don’t know that the very little I do know is almost insignificant. The reality of the matter is that none of us knows very much. At least when we compare what we know to what we don’t know. Yet, despite this fact, most of us go around behaving like we know what’s what.

This is why I like this verse from Psalm 91:3.

He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases.

Psalm 91:3 (GNT)

For every hurt and harm we experience, God keeps so much more away from us that we know nothing about.

One of the problems with thinking we know what’s going on when we really don’t is we open our mouths and give life to our ignorance.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

We see this sort of ignorance all throughout the book of Job when his friends try and comfort him. Look at what Bildad says to Job here.

When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.

Job 8:4 (NIV)

We know that Job’s children didn’t die because of their sins. Instead, God permitted Satan to act in Job’s life because God knew Job could handle it and not curse him.

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 1:12 (NIV)

What Bildad said to Job was very hurtful. Not only was Job dealing with the accusations that it was his sin that brought about his afflictions, but this accusation against his children would doubly sting because Job took great care to cover his children.

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

Job 1:5 (NIV)

There are a lot of lessons we can learn from the book of Job. One of them is that we don’t know what’s going on. Even if we think we do. Bildad didn’t know why Job’s children died, but he assumed it was because of their sin. However, we know their sin had nothing to do with what happened.

As Christians, we must be careful about how we judge people. It’s easy to see sin in other people’s lives and think that their problems are because of that sin. In some cases, that might be the case. However, instead of looking at why someone is going through what they are going through, we ought to do what we can to help. Sometimes, the best help we can offer is like that of the fool who holds his tongue and says nothing.

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