Not far from where I live lie vast storage facilities holding every item imaginable. Fleets of trucks carry merchandise to and from these warehouses all day long. Goods fly from the shelves as we all buy gifts and stock up for Christmas. The whole procurement and distribution system amazes me, and makes me glad I’m not in charge. I just enjoy shopping in my pajamas and getting the stuff I want dropped off on my front porch.

Job experienced the opposite of a wonderful holiday season. After many questions and frustrations, the Lord answered Job in his distress. God first reminded Job who created the world, and who stood among the created. The Lord pointed out his own vast facilities, or as the King James Version calls them, his magnificent treasure houses:

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures of hail?

The Lord pointed out the abode of light and the residence of darkness. Along with snow and hail, the Lord keeps barns full of lightning, winds and ice. Quite a neighborhood, with bulging doors and flashing windows.

The Lord laid the earth’s foundation and marked off its dimensions. Snow and hail are no big deal to him. He reminded Job, and reminds you and me today, who is the creator and who is the created.

The Lord holds a few hurricanes in the back room for just the right moment. Soon the Lord will deliver snow and ice to my front porch, next summer lightning and hail. I can count on that delivery, and be thankful the Lord continually opens his treasure houses for our benefit.

Job 38 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Adrian Sulyok