Dear Missionary Lady,
Psalm 44 starts out positively. The author recalls the
wonderful work God had done for Israel in the past, establishing them in the
land by His might and favor (vs. 1-3). The author then looks confidently to God
as the only hope for future deliverance (vs. 4-8).
Things turn bleak in vs. 9-14. The people are now in a time
of domination by their enemies and are fleeing before them. The author's
descriptions include these: "put to shame," "sheep appointed for
meat," "scattered among the heathen," "reproach to our
neighbors," and "byword among the heathen."
What makes this time of trouble especially difficult is the
recognition of God's role in their circumstances. The trouble is clearly
attributed to God. "Thou hast cast off," "Thou makest us to turn
back," "Thou hast given us like sheep," "Thou sellest thy
people," "Thou makest us a reproach." To me, one of the most
painful phrases is that God isn't going with them to the battle (v. 9).
The psalm doesn't tell the reason for this time of intense
difficulty. It is quite possible that the psalmist doesn't even know why all
this disaster is happening, but truly this is a difficult time. To be in such a
sore trial, to know that God is supervising it all, and to feel that God is not
there to give His help - this causes anguish of soul. The psalmist speaks of
confusion and shame (v. 15).
In the midst of this trial and its accompanying inner
turmoil, the author identifies his response and that of the rest of the people
(vs. 17-21). He says that even though "all this is come upon us; yet have
we not forgotten thee." They have not "dealt falsely" in their
covenant with God. Their "heart is not turned back," and their steps
have not left God's ways. They have not "forgotten the name" of God
or sought help in a false source.
These claims of integrity, faithfulness, and unwavering
devotion are not empty. The psalmist recognizes God's knowledge of "the
secrets of the heart" and acknowledges that God can search them to see if
these claims are true.
Integrity, faithfulness, and unwavering devotion in the face
of intense and puzzling trial. We can relate, can't we? We have all been
through those hard and confusing times. There have been times of failure, when
our hearts wavered and when our faith was threatened. But by God's grace, there
have also been times when we clung to Him, when our faith was tenacious, when
our God-dependence was overwhelming. As we have grown in maturity, these latter
descriptions have been more frequent than the former.
But it is not easy. The final verses of the psalm (vs.
22-25) end without giving any answers of deliverance. Instead, they describe
how incredibly difficult this trial is. What was it like for these people who
were steadfastly anchored in God in spite of the anguish? They were
"killed all the day long" and "counted as sheep for the
slaughter." They felt that God was sleeping and was casting them off for a
time. God was hiding His face. He was forgetting their affliction and
oppression. Their soul was "bowed down to the dust."
Yet they maintained their integrity and their faithfulness
to God. It was hard, oh so hard! For a long time. They waited for answers
without seeing them. They waited for God's intervention and deliverance. As the
psalmist considered their steadfast devotion to God, I think he took comfort in
knowing that God knew their heart. "Shall not God search this out? for he
knoweth the secrets of the heart."
Our hearts are weak. They easily entertain conflict or
reservation. They ask questions. They feel battered. There are times that we
even seem to have little spiritual strength, when we feel like we can't put one
foot in front of the other spiritually. Our Bible reading might be forced,
habitual, and dry. Our prayers might seem weak and shallow. We can feel like
our spirit is so crushed that we just don't have any spiritual energy to expend.
BUT - we know that we love God. We know that we are devoted
to Him. We know that by His grace we intend to follow Him anyway - every day of
our lives. That is the kind of dogged determination that the psalmist had.
There is nowhere else to turn. God is the answer. There was no option except to
continue waiting on God. And wonderfully, God knows that about our hearts. He sees
our struggling determination to be faithful. He sees our underlying desire to
please Him.
Like the psalmist, our conclusion can be prayer based on
God's character. "Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies'
sake" (v. 26). The God who delivered in the past will again deliver. We
just have to wait. Meanwhile, we determine to keep following God anyway, and we
plead for His help to keep us on that path.
"Come, thou Fount of every blessing,/ Tune my heart to
sing thy grace;/ Streams of mercy, never ceasing,/ Call for songs of loudest
praise./ Teach me some melodious sonnet,/ Sung by flaming tongues above./
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,/ Mount of thy redeeming love.
Here I raise mine Ebenezer;/ Hither by thy help I'm come;/
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,/ Safely to arrive at home./ Jesus sought me
when a stranger,/ Wandering from the fold of God;/ He, to rescue me from
danger,/ Interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor/ Daily I'm constrained to be!/
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,/ Bind my wandering heart to thee./ Prone to
wander, Lord, I feel it,/ Prone to leave the God I love;/ Here's my heart, O
take and seal it,/ Seal it for thy courts above."
No matter how hard things get and no matter for how long,
God can hold you and help you. Wait on Him. He will not fail.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Friday, September 20, 2019
09202019 Hand to the Fallen
Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our sustaining God. Life is sometimes very difficult and throws obstacles in our paths that we did not expect and that we seem incapable of handling. God is the one who helps us through.
In the difficult times, I am thankful for verses like these. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:23-24).
First of all, though we don't always recognize it and don't always like to admit it, our steps are ordered by God. They are set up, appointed, ordained, prepared, established by God. It sure doesn't seem that way sometimes. We may wonder why in the world God chose the path He chose and how He can ever get it to go somewhere profitable, but He can, and He does have a plan. So it is encouraging to know that this path did not surprise God, nor does it fall outside of His purposes.
Even though it isn't a pleasant thought, I'm glad this verse also acknowledges that sometimes we do fall. Falling doesn't make us unusual or noteworthy. The fall might mean sin and wrong choices, but I think it more likely refers to stumbling on a path that our feet can't handle. The trail is too steep, or too muddy, or too rocky, or too slippery. Maybe it is too dark. It might even be in a storm or earthquake or in the middle of an icy winter. When those conditions exist, it is not surprising that we frail humans would fall. It would be more surprising if we never did.
When we walk with God, however, falling is not the end. When we fall, we don't die. We don't remain prostrate on the path for the rest of time. We don't roll off into the ditch, never to recover. The falling is temporary, just like a child learning to walk. They get back up, and so do we. We are not utterly cast down, left in defeat and ruin. Actually unless someone has broken a bone or has simply pushed his body to the point of collapse, the time on the ground is usually very short.
There are times, though, when we do picture ourselves even at that extreme - as having broken bones, or visualize that after running a marathon, there is simply no energy left. Even if the fall is that severe, we still have hope. Our hope lies in the fact that God Himself gives His hand to help us back up. The meaning of the word "uphold" is that God allows us to lean hard on Him for support or that He actually takes hold of us to sustain us.
I used to hear people talk about God holding their hand, and I thought they were sappy sentimentalists who were trying to make God personal and loving. Over time I have learned more and more about how personal and loving God actually is. He is not detached, aloof, or disinterested. He cares. I thought that God holding one's hand was invented by shallow Christians who wanted emotion and experience. Then I found this verse and other verses that actually say He does it.
What a precious truth this is, that we who are so weak and who so easily fall, have a loving God who sustains and helps us in the difficulty. He holds our hand specifically when we need it the most, when we are on a difficult path, and when we have fallen. He doesn't abandon us or leave us to fight our own way out of the muddy pit.
This truth is encouraging to those who are struggling to walk, who feel in danger of falling. It is eminently comforting to those who have actually fallen. If you are on rough terrain, take His hand. Lean on Him. Accept the help and support of the one who has designed the path and can help you walk it. If you have fallen and are discouraged and defeated, cling to His hand. Feel His love. Let Him strengthen you, lift and restore you. He can put your feet back on the path again, and He can support you while you continue your current path and even more challenging paths that might come later.
Peace in the midst of my storm,/ Peace in the midst of my storm./ Draw me close to Thyself, Oh Lord;/ And give me peace in the midst of my storm."
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Greetings in the name of our sustaining God. Life is sometimes very difficult and throws obstacles in our paths that we did not expect and that we seem incapable of handling. God is the one who helps us through.
In the difficult times, I am thankful for verses like these. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:23-24).
First of all, though we don't always recognize it and don't always like to admit it, our steps are ordered by God. They are set up, appointed, ordained, prepared, established by God. It sure doesn't seem that way sometimes. We may wonder why in the world God chose the path He chose and how He can ever get it to go somewhere profitable, but He can, and He does have a plan. So it is encouraging to know that this path did not surprise God, nor does it fall outside of His purposes.
Even though it isn't a pleasant thought, I'm glad this verse also acknowledges that sometimes we do fall. Falling doesn't make us unusual or noteworthy. The fall might mean sin and wrong choices, but I think it more likely refers to stumbling on a path that our feet can't handle. The trail is too steep, or too muddy, or too rocky, or too slippery. Maybe it is too dark. It might even be in a storm or earthquake or in the middle of an icy winter. When those conditions exist, it is not surprising that we frail humans would fall. It would be more surprising if we never did.
When we walk with God, however, falling is not the end. When we fall, we don't die. We don't remain prostrate on the path for the rest of time. We don't roll off into the ditch, never to recover. The falling is temporary, just like a child learning to walk. They get back up, and so do we. We are not utterly cast down, left in defeat and ruin. Actually unless someone has broken a bone or has simply pushed his body to the point of collapse, the time on the ground is usually very short.
There are times, though, when we do picture ourselves even at that extreme - as having broken bones, or visualize that after running a marathon, there is simply no energy left. Even if the fall is that severe, we still have hope. Our hope lies in the fact that God Himself gives His hand to help us back up. The meaning of the word "uphold" is that God allows us to lean hard on Him for support or that He actually takes hold of us to sustain us.
I used to hear people talk about God holding their hand, and I thought they were sappy sentimentalists who were trying to make God personal and loving. Over time I have learned more and more about how personal and loving God actually is. He is not detached, aloof, or disinterested. He cares. I thought that God holding one's hand was invented by shallow Christians who wanted emotion and experience. Then I found this verse and other verses that actually say He does it.
What a precious truth this is, that we who are so weak and who so easily fall, have a loving God who sustains and helps us in the difficulty. He holds our hand specifically when we need it the most, when we are on a difficult path, and when we have fallen. He doesn't abandon us or leave us to fight our own way out of the muddy pit.
This truth is encouraging to those who are struggling to walk, who feel in danger of falling. It is eminently comforting to those who have actually fallen. If you are on rough terrain, take His hand. Lean on Him. Accept the help and support of the one who has designed the path and can help you walk it. If you have fallen and are discouraged and defeated, cling to His hand. Feel His love. Let Him strengthen you, lift and restore you. He can put your feet back on the path again, and He can support you while you continue your current path and even more challenging paths that might come later.
"When my way seems so dim
and unclear,/ Jesus, I’m glad I know you are near./ Weary and worn from this
life I live. I long for the peace that You give.
Jesus, through You I’ve the power
to stand,/ You gave the promise that You’d hold my hand./ Trusting Your Word,
to You I will cling./ Praise God for the peace that You bring.
Peace in the midst of my storm,/ Peace in the midst of my storm./ Draw me close to Thyself, Oh Lord;/ And give me peace in the midst of my storm."
In whatever storm or whatever
path you find yourself this week, may you be acutely aware of God's presence,
peace, and sustaining hand. He loves you so much!
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holtmember at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 14, 2019
09142019 Fringes of His Ways
Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our infinite God! He is infinite in so many ways - time, wisdom, power, grace, love, etc. God doesn't have the limitations that we humans are so used to, and we never need to be concerned that we are nearing the limits of what God can handle.
Job recalled some of the greatness of God in Job 26. He talked about how the dead spirits tremble before Him. He talked about how God hung the world on nothing out in empty space, how He holds the water in the clouds, how He can make the clouds obscure even the fullest moon. He talked about how God maintains the boundary between daylight and darkness around the globe, and how the heavens are under His control. He talked about how God controls the raging sea, clears the stormy sky, and reigns over every creature.
These are some amazing manifestations of God's infinite power. They are some of the grandest and most impressive things that God does. But then Job says something interesting. "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" (Job 26:14).
The powerful creation and control are just "parts" of God's ways. The word translated "parts" doesn't merely mean one random section out of all the possible sections. It actually refers to the outermost parts - the coast, the corner, the edge, the border, the brink, or the frontier. Some translations use the word "fringes."
The amazing things that Job has described are just the outskirts of His power. They are the manifestations of His power that we mortals are perhaps best able to comprehend. But there is so much more! In a way, those fringes of His ways are the least consequential and the most mundane manifestations. If we really could get to the center of God's work and see all that He does, we would not even be able to comprehend it.
Job states precisely that truth in the remainder of verse 14. In fact, Job says that we don't even have very good understanding of these basic things. God's power is beyond our ability to comprehend.
Dear friend, what does this mean for you? It means that God is easily capable of handling everything that you face. If the amazing elements of nature that are easiest for us to see are just the edges of what He can do, there is no doubt that He can handle anything. Your finances are not outside the range of God's power. Neither is your health or your family's health. He can easily oversee your safety. He can direct the hearts of rulers and He can soften the hearts of sinners. God can provide buildings, supplies, leaders, workers, and everything else that you need for your ministry. And He will still be barely dipping into His vast resources!
Not only does this truth about God's infinite greatness give us confidence to rest in His care, but it also opens the challenge and opportunity for us to learn God more fully. As we mature, we can increasingly come to recognize His hand at work and to better understand His constant intervention. May you see His power this week on your behalf, and where you don't see it, may you rest in the confidence that it is working anyway. God is fully able to take care of you in every aspect.
"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,/ Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;/ I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,/ Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,/ How great Thou art! How great Thou art!/ Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,/ How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"
He is indeed great! Rest in His care. Trust Him. Be amazed at His work, and remember that if we really could see it all, our amazement would be astronomical.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Greetings in the name of our infinite God! He is infinite in so many ways - time, wisdom, power, grace, love, etc. God doesn't have the limitations that we humans are so used to, and we never need to be concerned that we are nearing the limits of what God can handle.
Job recalled some of the greatness of God in Job 26. He talked about how the dead spirits tremble before Him. He talked about how God hung the world on nothing out in empty space, how He holds the water in the clouds, how He can make the clouds obscure even the fullest moon. He talked about how God maintains the boundary between daylight and darkness around the globe, and how the heavens are under His control. He talked about how God controls the raging sea, clears the stormy sky, and reigns over every creature.
These are some amazing manifestations of God's infinite power. They are some of the grandest and most impressive things that God does. But then Job says something interesting. "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" (Job 26:14).
The powerful creation and control are just "parts" of God's ways. The word translated "parts" doesn't merely mean one random section out of all the possible sections. It actually refers to the outermost parts - the coast, the corner, the edge, the border, the brink, or the frontier. Some translations use the word "fringes."
The amazing things that Job has described are just the outskirts of His power. They are the manifestations of His power that we mortals are perhaps best able to comprehend. But there is so much more! In a way, those fringes of His ways are the least consequential and the most mundane manifestations. If we really could get to the center of God's work and see all that He does, we would not even be able to comprehend it.
Job states precisely that truth in the remainder of verse 14. In fact, Job says that we don't even have very good understanding of these basic things. God's power is beyond our ability to comprehend.
Dear friend, what does this mean for you? It means that God is easily capable of handling everything that you face. If the amazing elements of nature that are easiest for us to see are just the edges of what He can do, there is no doubt that He can handle anything. Your finances are not outside the range of God's power. Neither is your health or your family's health. He can easily oversee your safety. He can direct the hearts of rulers and He can soften the hearts of sinners. God can provide buildings, supplies, leaders, workers, and everything else that you need for your ministry. And He will still be barely dipping into His vast resources!
Not only does this truth about God's infinite greatness give us confidence to rest in His care, but it also opens the challenge and opportunity for us to learn God more fully. As we mature, we can increasingly come to recognize His hand at work and to better understand His constant intervention. May you see His power this week on your behalf, and where you don't see it, may you rest in the confidence that it is working anyway. God is fully able to take care of you in every aspect.
"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,/ Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;/ I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,/ Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,/ How great Thou art! How great Thou art!/ Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,/ How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"
He is indeed great! Rest in His care. Trust Him. Be amazed at His work, and remember that if we really could see it all, our amazement would be astronomical.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 7, 2019
0907209 Follow Anywhere
Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our trustworthy God! He is the only one who never lets us down and the only one with the ability to do whatever we need.
One morning several weeks ago as I walked into work, two maintenance men were entering at the same time. One of them seemed to be the expert at carrying supplies, while the second man was the expert on opening doors. The second man was also the only one who knew his way around the building. As the first man indicated his lost condition, the second man said, "Just follow me, wherever I go." The first man joked, "That could get me in trouble."
This simple interchange stirred my thinking. I don't know anything about those two men - whether the one was a good leader or not, nor whether the other would be wise to follow his example. My thought was that no one can really make that statement, "Follow me, wherever I go." Even the best of people will fail and at some point would lead us on a wrong path.
My thoughts didn't stay on other people, though. Instead, they turned to the only One who can make such a statement. God is the only one who can say, "Follow me, wherever I go." Or perhaps the better wording would be, "Follow me, wherever I lead."
God will never lead us astray. He will never lead us into anything wrong. He will lead us constantly, though. Sometimes that path will be beside the still waters and into the green pastures. Sometimes that path will go through the dry and barren desert. Sometimes it will rise high up into treacherous mountain passes. But if it is where God leads, it will be right.
He will lead us into times of loneliness and preparation, times of trial and sanctification, times of confusion and questions, and times of abundant fruitfulness and service. Since life is one long journey, we can't get to the paths and locations that we prefer without first passing through the paths that are more challenging.
If God is leading us, and He is, that means He is never far away. We can follow close in His footsteps and right by His side. It is okay to follow God anywhere - in spite of our doubts, in spite of the questions or disapproval of others, in spite of danger or deprivation. He will not lead us wrong.
"Savior, like a shepherd lead us,/ Much we need Thy tender care;/ In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,/ For our use Thy folds prepare:/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are."
Many service-oriented songs carry this idea of following God. "Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me." "I will follow Thee, my Savior, where'er the pathway may go." "Where He leads me, I will follow." (And the second verse, just for missionaries - What He feeds me, I will swallow.)
That's really what the Christian life is really all about - following our Shepherd. In Christian growth, in obedience, in service, in faith. If we use Him as our guide and as our example, we can't go wrong. So keep following our trust-worthy Shepherd, wherever He leads.
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Greetings in the name of our trustworthy God! He is the only one who never lets us down and the only one with the ability to do whatever we need.
One morning several weeks ago as I walked into work, two maintenance men were entering at the same time. One of them seemed to be the expert at carrying supplies, while the second man was the expert on opening doors. The second man was also the only one who knew his way around the building. As the first man indicated his lost condition, the second man said, "Just follow me, wherever I go." The first man joked, "That could get me in trouble."
This simple interchange stirred my thinking. I don't know anything about those two men - whether the one was a good leader or not, nor whether the other would be wise to follow his example. My thought was that no one can really make that statement, "Follow me, wherever I go." Even the best of people will fail and at some point would lead us on a wrong path.
My thoughts didn't stay on other people, though. Instead, they turned to the only One who can make such a statement. God is the only one who can say, "Follow me, wherever I go." Or perhaps the better wording would be, "Follow me, wherever I lead."
God will never lead us astray. He will never lead us into anything wrong. He will lead us constantly, though. Sometimes that path will be beside the still waters and into the green pastures. Sometimes that path will go through the dry and barren desert. Sometimes it will rise high up into treacherous mountain passes. But if it is where God leads, it will be right.
He will lead us into times of loneliness and preparation, times of trial and sanctification, times of confusion and questions, and times of abundant fruitfulness and service. Since life is one long journey, we can't get to the paths and locations that we prefer without first passing through the paths that are more challenging.
If God is leading us, and He is, that means He is never far away. We can follow close in His footsteps and right by His side. It is okay to follow God anywhere - in spite of our doubts, in spite of the questions or disapproval of others, in spite of danger or deprivation. He will not lead us wrong.
"Savior, like a shepherd lead us,/ Much we need Thy tender care;/ In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,/ For our use Thy folds prepare:/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are."
Many service-oriented songs carry this idea of following God. "Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me." "I will follow Thee, my Savior, where'er the pathway may go." "Where He leads me, I will follow." (And the second verse, just for missionaries - What He feeds me, I will swallow.)
That's really what the Christian life is really all about - following our Shepherd. In Christian growth, in obedience, in service, in faith. If we use Him as our guide and as our example, we can't go wrong. So keep following our trust-worthy Shepherd, wherever He leads.
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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