Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who hears and responds to
His children. They are not left on their own to manage or muddle through. No,
God notices each situation they face, and He willingly and lovingly helps them.
"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and
strengthenedst me with strength in my soul" (Psalm 138:3).
Following are some observations regarding this verse. First,
troubles do come that make us cry out. Some of them are especially hard. All of
them are beyond our capacity to handle. Situations arise in which we need help
outside ourselves.
Second, the type of troubles described in this verse sap the
strength from our very souls. We feel crushed or deflated internally, beyond
the physical and mental ramifications.
Third, in those soul-sapping struggles, we must cry out to
Him. It's not hard to recognize how drained and needy we are. That becomes
obvious very quickly. It is such a simple, but sometimes forgotten, step to
remember to cry out for help when we recognize our need.
Fourth, God must first hear if He is going to answer. The
hearing is not mentioned in this verse, but it is an obvious prerequisite that
is mentioned often in Scripture. Our cries do not fall on deaf ears.
Fifth, God doesn't wait weeks, months, or years to respond.
He answers in the day we call. His answer may not immediately be worked out
experientially for us, but He has the answer, and He begins working to achieve
it.
Sixth, God does answer. His answer indicates that He
recognizes the need as real. Why would He give any answer if He dismissed our
cries as illegitimate? His acknowledgement of our problem and His response are
evidences of His love and care.
Seventh, the ultimate solution is not His only answer. While
we wait for that, God gives grace and endurance to help us. He gives us
strength in our weak souls. We might think we need money or health or a friend
or provision or an approved document. And we might need those things. But there
is a deeper need, which is internal strength. Faith and confidence to
resolutely and faithfully follow God. Calmness and peace as we endure. Because
the anticipated answer we seek may not come, or it may not come immediately. No
matter how or when God works out the solution, we must remain strong in our
faith and in our deepest being. God is the one who enables us to do that.
Strength in my soul from my Savior! What a precious gift!
What a necessary gift! This is what enables us (who are so weak) to support our
husbands, train our children, provide an example for those within our area of
ministry, and present a question-provoking testimony to those who don't yet
know our Savior. And it's not based on our own strength; it's all because of
Him.
"Jesus! What a friend for sinners!/ Jesus! Lover of my
soul;/ Friends may fail me, foes assail me,/ He, my Savior, makes me whole.
"Jesus! What a strength in weakness!/ Let me hide
myself in Him./ Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,/ He, my strength, my
victory wins.
"Jesus! What a help in sorrow!/ While the billows o'er
me roll./ Even when my heart is breaking,/ He, my comfort, helps my soul.
"Jesus! What a guide and keeper!/ While the tempest
still is high./ Storms about me, night o'ertakes me/ He, my pilot, hears my
cry.
"Hallelujah! What a Savior!/ Hallelujah! what a
Friend!/ Saving, helping, keeping, loving,/ He is with me to the end."
Cry out to Him. Wait for His answers. Rest in His strength.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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