“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” Job 37:14-16

Growing up around the Ozark hills and lakes of the Midwest, I’ve always been biased towards the natural beauty most common to Missouri. But having also been blessed to go on on various vacations nationwide and more recent trips to Europe, I find myself staring in breathtaking wonder at the unique scenery our world has to boast of. The picturesque canyons adorning The American Southwest, the coastal canals of Florida home to endangered species like manatee, the endless cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Together these are just a sampling of the millions of species and formations that make up the intricate and delicate balance of nature.

According to the Bible, the variety of the natural world is designed to do far more than inspire childlike wonder. The mysteries of nature can help us come to terms with a God who allows inexpressible, unexplainable pain and suffering. We see this in the epic story of Job. While he was suffering, Job didn’t know that God had such a high regard for him that he allowed Satan to test his faith with a series of losses.

What emerges is this eventual, unavoidable conclusion: A Creator who has the wisdom and power to design the wonders of nature is great enough to be trusted with pain and suffering that are beyond our ability to understand. In awe, Job proclaimed, “I know that You can do everything” (42:2). We can trust that kind of God — a God who made our world with wonder — no matter what.

Inspired by the song “Wonder” by Hillsong United