The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Episode Summary: Day 6 – Trust in the Lord

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
• Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Author/Producer: Ascension
• Episode: Day 6: Trust in the Lord
• Release Date: January 6, 2025

Introduction

In Day 6 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into a profound exploration of trust and faith through selected passages from Genesis, Job, and Proverbs. This episode invites listeners to journey through pivotal moments in biblical narratives, uncovering the depth of divine trust amidst human imperfections and suffering.

Scriptural Readings

1. Genesis 12-13

   • Key Passages: Genesis 12:13; Genesis 13
   • Content Overview:
     • Genesis 12: Announces God's covenant with Abram (later Abraham), promising to make him a great nation and a blessing to all families of the earth. Abram's subsequent journey to Canaan, his sojourn in Egypt during a famine, and his interactions with Pharaoh, including the deceptive claim that Sarai is his sister.
     • Genesis 13: Details Abram and Lot's separation to prevent strife between their herdsmen, highlighting Abram's altruism and faith in God's providence. God's reaffirmation of His promise to Abram, ensuring the land's future for his descendants.

2. Job 1-2

   • Content Overview:
     • Job 1: Introduces Job, a blameless and upright man who fears God. Satan challenges Job's righteousness, suggesting it is contingent upon his blessings. God permits Satan to test Job's faith by stripping him of his wealth and children.
     • Job 2: Satan further afflicts Job with painful sores. Despite immense suffering, Job maintains his integrity, refusing to curse God. The narrative emphasizes Job's unwavering faith amidst relentless trials.

3. Proverbs 1:1-7

   • Content Overview:
     • Proverbs 1:1-7: Presents the purpose of Proverbs—to impart wisdom, instruction, and understanding. It underscores the foundational theme that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," contrasting the wise with the foolish who despise wisdom.

Reflections and Insights

Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a thoughtful exegesis of the day's readings, drawing parallels between the lives of Abram and Job to illuminate themes of trust, faith, and integrity.

1. Trust and Faith: Abram's Example

   • Altruism and Selflessness: Abram's willingness to cede land to Lot without contention ([05:45]). This act exemplifies deep trust in God's promise, demonstrating Abram's belief that God will provide for him regardless of his actions.
   • Facing Imperfections: Despite his eventual deception in Egypt, Abram's overarching faith remains steadfast. Fr. Mike emphasizes that even the patriarchs had moments of weakness, yet their foundational trust in God persevered.

2. Integrity in Suffering: Job's Example

   • Unwavering Faith: Job's immediate response to unimaginable loss was worship and submission to God's will ([18:30]). Fr. Mike highlights Job's profound declaration, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord," as a model of faithful acceptance.
   • Confronting Accusation: The dialogue between God and Satan (Hasatan) reveals the testing of Job's integrity. Despite profound suffering, Job does not curse God, showcasing resilience and unwavering trust.

3. The Nature of Trials and Devotion

   • Human Struggle with Faith: Fr. Mike discusses how both Abram and Job face significant trials that test their trust in God. These narratives illustrate that suffering and challenges do not negate one's faith but can, in fact, deepen it.
   • Divine Steadfastness: Emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His promises, despite human frailty. The assurance that God remains faithful even when individuals falter is a central theme.

Notable Quotes

• Fr. Mike Schmitz on Abram's Trust:

  "[12:15] Abram doesn't jockey for position; he simply says, 'If you take the left hand, I'll go to the right.' His selflessness is a testament to his unwavering faith in God's provision."

• On Job's Response to Suffering:

  "[22:50] 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.' Job's immediate turn to worship in the face of loss epitomizes true faith."

• Proverbs Insight:

  "[28:30] 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.' This foundational truth sets the stage for all wisdom and understanding."

• Encouragement to Listeners:

  "[35:10] 'Make my heart more and more like Job's, that when I experience suffering, I worship; make my heart like Abram's, that when I don't know which way to go, I trust in You.'"

Conclusion

Day 6 of The Bible in a Year podcast offers a profound exploration of trust in the Lord through the intertwined narratives of Abram and Job. Fr. Mike Schmitz skillfully draws lessons on faithfulness, integrity, and the human experience of suffering, encouraging listeners to emulate these biblical figures' unwavering trust in God. As the journey through the Bible continues, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of faith amidst life's trials.

Additional Resources

• Bible in a Year Reading Plan: Available for download at ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear
• Subscribe: Subscribe to the podcast through your preferred podcast app.
• Email Updates: Sign up for updates by texting "Catholic Bible" to 33777.

Prayer

Father in heaven, we thank You and give You praise for Your Word. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us and sharing Your heart, especially in broken situations. We ask that You send Your Holy Spirit to guide us when we are broken, fail, and suffer. Help us turn deeply to You, refusing to curse, run away, or hide, but instead come to You in our brokenness and need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.