We tend to think of ancient peoples as lacking in scientific knowledge. In many ways they were. It’s only been in the last one hundred and sixty years, thanks initially to the experiments of Louis Pasteur, that scientists began to understand the role of bacteria and viruses in illness. The germ theory of disease improved our lives dramatically, yet lay undiscovered for thousands of years.

However, our ancestors excelled in the study of the heavens. Magi from the east observed a unique star and followed it for weeks to the home of the Christ-child. Job spoke in praise of God when he said, He suspends the earth over nothing. No flat-earther, Job understood our planet to be a sphere hanging in space.

Job next commented on weather phenomenon. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. When Job endured downpours he wondered, how does so much water float overhead? Perhaps you wondered the same while studying the water cycle at school?

As someone who earned a biology degree, I find these scientific references fascinating. Job observed and made mental notes. He saw the hand of God in nature, and realized the enormity of God’s power. He added, And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

Magnificent sunrises and alluring moons dance on the outer fringe of God’s works. Enjoy his whisper. So much more remains undiscovered. Part of the adventure of following the Lord involves the process of exploration, of glimpsing the thunder of his power, and orienting ourselves toward his glory.

Job 26 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by The New York Public Library

King David experienced plenty of heinous people and nasty situations. As these turned his stomach, he stepped away again and again. Later in life he wrote:

I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.

Today it’s easy to take in loads of vile. Foul ideas constantly present themselves. With the world wide web in full bloom, a 24/7 news cycle, and endless entertainment options, vile ain’t hard to find.

But I don’t have to participate. I can refuse to give even grudging acknowledge or implied approval to what the Scriptures consider repugnant, shameful, or dishonorable. I might not be able to stop it, but I can turn my back and move in healthier directions.

Psalm 101 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Asterfolio

Sometimes the wrong words just pop out. Like recently when a colleague older than myself asked how he was supposed to understand an interactive web page we developed. I replied (in front of a crowd), if you were 30 years younger it would come easily. Oops. Fortunately, my gracious coworker laughed in agreement. But I blurted out the comment without thought and apologized for my rudeness.

King David worried about his choice of words as well. He prayed, Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

I wonder if David had just said something hurtful to his colleague? Or replied with sarcasm to a well-meaning person in his service? As king, David heard bluster, wild stories, people bragging on themselves, outright lies and whispered accusations. He needed to hold his tongue as he sought wise decisions. Prone to rash behavior at times (think of Bathsheba in her bath), David learned the need to pause his speech.

David’s prayer is good for all of us. Maybe, just maybe, the Lord’s power can tame the tongue when nothing else works. Here’s my prayer today:

Lord, set a guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Help me keep an appropriately tight hold on my speech as I go through this day. Amen.

Psalm 141 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Joseph Corl

Job is a terrifying book. Satan attacks Job as God stands back. Seeking to destroy a kind-hearted man, Satan gleefully anticipates Job cursing God for his misfortunes.

Satan lies and destroys, wanting all of us to curse God and die. The Lord, however, holds for eternity. The circumstances of our lives work out for the good for those who love God and are called to his purposes. Such was the way of Job.

Satan wants us to believe this world is all there is. If things don’t go right we should give up on God. But beyond our understanding lies a vast country, our true home. Satan blots out that hope.

The book of Job deals with bad things happening to a good person. Our world is filled with bad things happening to innocent people, which I cannot understand. It helps a bit to realize that an enemy exists, an accuser who works with whatever is at his disposal to cause me to join him in rebellion, to curse God and die. Filled with boundless evil, Satan yearns to twist my mind, hurt my body, smother my hope and shoplift my soul.

The Lord simply wants our trust. Job never got his questions answered, nor understood the cruelty of the opponent he faced. Yet in the midst of tragedy he proclaimed in an act of worship:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

I’m not sure I could ever match Job’s faith. But I can take on his mantle of hope, trusting in our God who patiently waits in a land with no crying or mourning or pain.

Job 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by engin akyurt