"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22).

Today is the last day of summer.  The cool, fragrant autumn air did not wait for its official starting time at 12:03 A.M. tomorrow morning to make its appearance.  It's already bright and crisp outside with the distinct feel of fall in the air. I took the photo above early this morning just a short walk down the lane from our home.

The four days of each calendar year representing the change of seasons are regular reminders of God's faithfulness in His keeping of the longstanding promise in our daily text.  This promise will be kept "as long as the earth endures." The Equinoxes are the two days out of the whole year when the northern and southern hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight, and the days and nights are the same length. At the equator, the sun is directly overhead. (Equinox means "equal night.")  It's another remarkably predictable evidence of God's faithfulness and the precise order in His providential design.

Due to the Creator's remarkable order astronomers* can determine years ahead when this day will occur.  For instance the Spring or vernal equinox will be at 4:18 PM EST on March 20, 2547 just in case you want to plan ahead and get that marked on your calendar. It's astounding that many of these same scientists are blinded to the Creator behind the design! What takes greater faith, that this is a matter of random chance or purposeful, intelligent design?  

Many years ago I read an article by an astronomer by the name of Robert Jastrow, who made this statement. "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."  Hallelujah, I am on that final rock!

God gave Noah the wonderful promise expressed in the daily verse immediately after the flood.  It's a promise that we see fulfilled every day, but should particularly note at the seasonal changes. Consider the steady, yet often ignored, testimony of God's great faithfulness seen in the changing of the seasons expressed in this promise. It can give us a rich assurance today of God's faithfulness in all things and certainly that which concerns us.  In fact it was the inspiration behind one of the verses to a classic hymn most of you will recognize.  With joy and assurance receive it!

"Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above.
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Daily prayer: Almighty Father You are a God of perfect order, and Your immutable character does not change.  Your perfect design of the universe and all of created life that sustains it is also testimony to Your unchanging faithfulness. We join with the beauty of Your creation in bringing praise, honor and glory to You, our Faithful God, who provides for all our needs. Amen.

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* Many confuse astronomy with astrology. Astronomy is the science the science that deals with the material universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. Astrology is an occultic pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon.

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"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Chisholm, Thomas O. / Runyan, William M. Public domain  Brooksyne is playing this song in the background to today's podcast.
Audio version from live worship service

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Daily Encouragement Net Bible Knowledge test
This test is intended to check your overall knowledge of the Bible, based upon your personal reading and exposure to Biblical teaching over time. This is not material you "cram" for, since it is a broad overview of Biblical knowledge and understanding.

Knowing the answers to many of these questions indicates your overall familiarity with the Bible. I would not expect a newer Christian who has only recently started reading and studying the Bible to know as many answers as a long-time student of Scripture.

This test will take awhile so take it when you are able to concentrate for an extended period of time.

I suggest you initially take it with your Bible closed and then do so with an open Bible by going back over it.

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Here is the answer key. (After you take the test!)