It’s good at times to pause and think about the descriptions of the Lord we find in scripture. This one strikes me:

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Take a long look at the image above from the Hubble space telescope. A sparkling star field found near the center of the Milky Way, this massive collection forms only a tiny part of our universe. Astronomers discover more and more stars as our telescopes peer deeper and deeper into space.

Not only does God calculate the number of the stars flung into space, he understands each intimately, knowing their make-up and composition. Every star bears a name known only to the Lord. God is so much more than my feeble mind comprehends.

Along with acts of creation, the psalmist reminds us that the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Do you ever wonder, as I sometimes do, if the Lord is really present and paying attention? And even if that’s the case does he really care? Does he truly heal and bind up?

One answer it to look at the stars. The Lord knows their names, and the Lord knows my name and your name. He sent his son not for the stars, but for you and I.

The stars may appear cold and distant, but they glide above to remind us of the presence and warmth of the Lord.

Psalm 147 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo from NASA

A common misconception about following Jesus leads one to believe that all your problems are over—smooth sailing from here on. But our faith does not remove challenges from our lives, rather we now walk beside Jesus through them.

Peter wrote to folks confused about this issue: Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that has come upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you…if you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Not only do committed Christians deal with problems and issues like everyone else, those who attempt to walk closely with Jesus may face suffering specifically because of their faith.

Those who commit to the ways of the Lord find themselves diverging from the current ideals of the world. Perhaps I cannot celebrate certain moral choices in light of the scriptures, or I cannot support popular causes, or I have to call out dishonesty when I see it over and over. Sometimes a quiet prayer at lunch angers others, or refusing to work on Sunday.

Of course, in some lands following Jesus leads to violence against your person and your family. Peter’s mention of the fiery ordeal is no stretch. I know a man who was beaten over the head with a hammer due to his faith. He survived and praises God to this day.

Who knows what difficulties await us? Peter also shared these words to take to heart: So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Continue to do good in the midst of ordeals. Totally countercultural. Such practice marks a Jesus follower, and Jesus empowers those who ask. Let’s pray for each other as we seek to live this way in light of our ordeals.

Keep the faith.

1 Peter 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Andrew George

I’m loving life when my football team is winning while I’m eating nachos on the couch. Or, I’m loving life when I’m hiking in the woods. Or, I’m loving life when I fall in bed after a long hard day.

Peter shares a different perspective on loving life: Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

My vision for loving life involve enjoying things I like. Peter’s points me towards how I speak about and with others.

One way to love life more is to keep my mouth shut. To hold strong and not lash back in anger, to refuse to fire off a snarky retort on social media, to listen longer.

Another way to see good days revolves around honesty. As I speak, I should do so with sympathy, compassion and humility. When I bless those around me, they are more likely to listen to my honest thoughts even when they run contrary to their view.

Of course, in my natural state I’m incapable of such kindness. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to get anywhere close to this way of interacting. It takes God to control the tongue, and I must constantly lean on him to do so.

1 Peter 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Natasha Bhogal

This week I’ve attended a fantastic conference at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the pivotal engagement of the American Civil War. Thousands of men fought and died here, and we’ve learned the stories of several of them.

Many of these men wrote letters home, or recorded their experiences following the battle, and spoke of their hope in the Lord. Not everyone was religious, but walking toward a massive battle turned even hardened minds beyond this life.

Passages like this one from Peter proved especially meaningful: For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Those marching towards fields of death turned to the Good Shepherd. Because where else was there to turn?

Like brave men North and South, we too may enjoy a relationship with the Shepherd and Overseer. Hopefully we’ll never face a withering field of fire, but we do face challenging situations and persistent difficulties no less potent.

As I walked the battlefield this week I realized, with pleasure and hope, that I take comfort in the same God our forefathers turned to in their hours of distress—the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul.

1 Peter 2:25 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022