The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 6: Trust in the Lord (2026)
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview:

In this sixth episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through pivotal readings in Genesis 12-13, Job 1-2, and Proverbs 1:1-7. The episode’s central theme is trusting in the Lord, even amid uncertainty, personal failure, or suffering. With reflection on the journeys of Abram (later Abraham) and Job, Fr. Mike draws powerful parallels between these foundational biblical figures and our daily spiritual lives, encouraging listeners to emulate their profound faith and endurance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. God Calls Abram: Radical Trust and Imperfection

• Genesis 12-13:

  • God’s promise to Abram: "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you…” (00:44)
  • Abram's obedient departure at age 75, bringing Sarai and Lot, despite the uncertainties ahead.
  • Abram’s imperfection: He passes Sarai off as his sister in Egypt, leading to moral ambiguity and trouble with Pharaoh (04:40).
    • Reflection: Even “the father of faith” is deeply flawed. Our faith journey is populated by imperfect people.

• Abram and Lot: Avoiding Strife

  • The land cannot support both Abram’s and Lot’s herds, leading to possible discord.
  • Abram generously defers to Lot: “If you take the left hand, I will go to the right...” (07:30)
  • Reflection: Abram’s trust in God’s provision allows him to act with humility, confident that God will fulfill His promises no matter the surface circumstances.

2. Job: The Mystery of Suffering and Integrity in Faith

• Job 1-2:

  • Introduction to Job, “blameless and upright,” greatly blessed but about to be tested by unimaginable loss and suffering (10:25).
  • The role of Satan (Hebrew: ha-satan – "the accuser") in the divine council. Satan asserts that Job is only faithful because of prosperity, prompting God to permit tremedous trials (11:30).
  • Series of catastrophes: loss of livestock, servants, and all ten children in quick succession.

• Job’s Response to Suffering

  • Job’s profound act of faith:

    “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (15:11)

  • Despite the urging of his wife to "curse God and die," Job remains steadfast:

    “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (20:15)

  • Reflection on how Job resists both external and internal voices of accusation, highlighting the ongoing struggle to trust God amid suffering.

• Job’s Friends:

  • Arrive to comfort Job, but are so overcome by his suffering they sit in silence for seven days (21:20).

3. Proverbs: Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord

• Proverbs 1:1-7:
  • The episode closes the readings with the foundation of biblical wisdom:

    “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (23:55)

  • Reflection on how reverence for God is where true wisdom starts—not cleverness or mere morality but a relationship rooted in trust.

4. Fr. Mike’s Reflections and Encouragement

• The stories of Abram and Job remind us that faith is always a mixture of confidence and struggle. God’s plan involves using imperfect people, who are called to trust Him amid uncertainty and trial.
• On Abram:

  “Even as Abram hears the words of God, his promise that through Abram, God is going to bless the world…there still is this brokenness of Abram passing off Sarai as his sister…” (25:30)

• On Job:

  “As soon as Job is afflicted…Job did not curse God, but instead he worshiped.” (26:30)

• The meaning of "Satan," highlighting the Hebrew ha-satan (“the accuser”):

  “Remember, Satan…is the one that accuses. And there’s something that gets inside Job that he wants to accuse. And yet here is God, who is so faithful…” (28:40)

• A call for the listener:

  “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.” (30:12)

• Confidence for the journey:

  “We are just beginning this story, and we are going to journey through this Bible, all 73 books together, for the remainder of this year.” (31:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Radical Trust (Abram):

  “Whatever you choose. If you choose the left, I’ll go right. If you go right, I’ll go left. Because I don’t want there to be any disunity between us, no strife between us. And that’s a great sign of Abram’s faithfulness.” (08:05)

• On Enduring Faith (Job):

  “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (15:11)

• On God’s Faithfulness and Human Imperfection:

  “Neither of them are perfect. Both of them are called, but neither of them are perfect at the same time. Both of them demonstrate faith today.” (24:35)

• On Responding to Suffering:

  “When we’re broken, when we fail, when we fall, and when we’re suffering, that we turn more deeply to You. That we refuse to curse You, that we refuse to run away from You…” (Prayer, 24:20)

Important Timestamps

• 00:44 – God calls Abram
• 04:40 – Abram’s deception in Egypt
• 07:30 – Abram and Lot separate peacefully
• 10:25 – Introduction of Job and his qualities
• 11:30 – Satan’s challenge in the divine council
• 15:11 – Job’s worship after disaster
• 20:15 – Job answers his wife’s despair
• 21:20 – Job’s friends come to comfort him
• 23:55 – Proverbs: Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord
• 24:20 – Guided prayer emphasizing turning to God in brokenness
• 30:12 – Fr. Mike’s challenge: cultivate hearts of trust and worship

Final Takeaway

Fr. Mike’s message is clear: The stories of Abram and Job call us to trust God relentlessly, especially when circumstances are dire or confusing. Faith doesn’t guarantee ease or perfection—it demands humility and steadfastness. As we journey through the Bible this year, the call is to orient our hearts like Abram’s and Job’s, leaning into God’s faithfulness, worshipping in trial, and trusting when the way is unclear.