Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to Me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements -- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? ... Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you ...? Job 38:1-5, 16-17a

My online computer dictionary gives me the following definition of the word "extinct":

"Extinct is an adjective which, when it speaks of a species, family, or other large group, means it has no living members. Example: trilobites and dinosaurs are extinct. Synonyms: vanished, lost, died out, no longer existing, no longer extant, wiped out, destroyed."

I share that piece of information with you because, although I wouldn't know a smoothtooth blacktip shark (henceforth referred to as STBS) if it bit me on the ankle, scientists have said the beastie is extinct. Indeed, the last known specimen of the STBS was given to the Vienna Museum in 1902. So there you have it. The STBS is vanished, lost, died out, no longer existing, no longer extant, wiped out, destroyed.

Now here's the newsflash: the STBS is not quite as extinct as scientists have thought. So say the researchers who found one for sale in a Kuwaiti fish market. A little bit more research produced another 47 specimens of the STBS.

Amazing, isn't it?

Maybe it's time we realized just because we haven't seen something for a long time doesn't mean that thing doesn't exist. We may not have seen the STBS for over 100 years, but the STBS is still out there swimming around in the recesses of the deep. So, too, humanity may not have seen the Triune God, but that doesn't mean He isn't there.

To find the STBS, researchers had to look in a fish market. To find the Lord, all we need do is take a look at nature, take a peek at our conscience, and read through God's Holy Word.

If we do, we will hear the Lord speak to Job and to us. He will tell us that sometimes we aren't nearly as smart as we think we are. There are times when we speak without knowledge or understanding.

All of this helps explain why God's people live by faith. They trust in their Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. He who knows all has always told us the truth, and the truth He tells is this: God's Son has come to seek and save the lost.

And that, my friends, is a fact which will never become extinct, vanished, lost, died out, no longer existing, no longer extant, wiped out, or destroyed.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your Word is truth. Grant that I may cling to that truth which tells of the Savior who has won salvation and forgiveness for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 25-26    Matthew 18:1-20

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