For He (God) looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Job 28:24

The news reports tell me I've lost a lifelong friend. It's true.

I first made his acquaintance when I was in fifth grade and had to submit a project for a science fair. He helped me out with that. Once we had become acquainted, we kept in touch, establishing a friendship, which lasted from high school through seminary. An incredibly reliable pal, I was always impressed at the depth and scope of his knowledge and wisdom. In short, I picked his brain and never felt any remorse for having done so.

Sadly, I have to confess a number of years ago I stopped visiting with him. That choice was mine, not his. We just gradually drifted apart, until I had lost complete track of him and what he was doing.

Maybe that's why I feel so badly to hear that my friend, the Encyclopedia Britannica, is no longer going to be published. It's true. After 244 years, the massive 32-volume Encyclopedia Britannica is shutting down its presses.

Are you wondering about the cause of death? The answer is simple: my friend found that he simply wasn't able to keep up. Every time his editors and contributors got their facts in line and went to press -- before the first book was sold -- it was antiquated and out of date. That's why I, and many others, forgot the Encyclopedia Britannica and went to the web for our information.

Truly, we live in an age when information changes, facts come and go, and nobody is capable of knowing everything about something ...

except the Lord. As the book of Job notes: our Lord doesn't miss a thing. From east to west, from north to south, He sees it all. If you prefer to put it a different way: He sees everything under the heavens.

Everything?

Yep, everything. As the Savior said, "God knows about the sparrows and the hairs on your head, and He even knows all your sins" (see Luke 12:6-7). Actually, He knows your sins better than you do. This is precisely why the Lord decided His Son should come into this world. Jesus had to live, suffer, die and rise, so our sins could be washed away and we would be forgiven and saved.

The Lord knew what had to be done ... and He did it.

This is why, in a world of change, we need to remember the one fact that doesn't: while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in a world of changing facts, we give thanks Your love and grace is a permanent thing. Although other friends may come and go, may we always give thanks for our Savior, who rose from the dead and is with us always. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 5-7    Luke 3

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