Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our astoundingly powerful God. He
is always at work, and He is doing far more than we can realize or imagine.
Based on His own great power, God gave instruction to
Jeremiah. "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it,
to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee,
and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah
33:2-3).
How powerful is God? I believe the identifications of God in
the early part of the verse refer to His creation of the earth. It doesn't take
long in studying the complexity of the human body, the diversity of plant and
animal life, the treasures of the oceans, or the immensity of the galaxy to be
amazed by God's power. God told Jeremiah that He would use His power to do
great and mighty things that were beyond the comprehension of Jeremiah.
Why were they beyond Jeremiah's comprehension? Think about
the situation Jeremiah was in at the time. While he languished in prison, Jerusalem
was on the verge of destruction by a brutal army that would destroy everything.
Jeremiah probably knew something of the reputation of these invaders, and he
knew it was going to be bad. It was bad. II Chronicles 36:17-20 records the
utter devastation. Even before the end came, however, suffering was already
great, ruin was imminent, and eventual recovery probably seemed impossible. Not
only did it seem like Israel and Judah's national ruin was decisive, it seemed
like the rebellious people would never turn back to God.
Seemed impossible - humanly speaking. But not impossible -
divinely speaking. When God told Jeremiah about great and mighty things to come,
restoration of ruined Israel was exactly what He had in mind. In the previous
chapter, God had taught Jeremiah that nothing was too hard for Him. Now God puts
forth some bold plans that Jeremiah could never have imagined. He promises some
absolutely amazing results, and nothing will stop God's plan.
Jeremiah 33:4-5 confirms that the destruction would indeed be
overwhelming, but vs. 6-18 tell the great and mighty things that God will due
in achieving both physical and spiritual restoration that is incredible.
He will bring health and will cure His people (v. 6). He will
give them an abundance of peace (v. 6). He will give them an abundance of truth
(v. 6). He will bring the captives back, both Judah and the lost tribes of Israel
(v. 7). He will build them up to great power and prosperity like their
beginning (v. 7). He will cleanse all their sins (v. 8). Israel will bring joy
to God (v. 9). Israel will be honored in the world (v. 9). God will do so much
good to Israel that the world will be in awe (v. 9). Joy will return to the
streets that were currently desolate (vs. 10-11). Sacrifices will resume (v. 11).
The desolate land will become inhabited and profitable (vs. 12-13). God will
fulfill His fundamental promise of a righteous Branch who will rule (vs. 14-15).
The righteous Leader will redeem the land (v. 16). The King will rule forever (v.
17). The priests will never again be lacking (v. 18).
What God has already done for Israel is amazing. What yet
remains for them is mind-boggling.
Can God also do impossible things for us in the midst of
seemingly overwhelming destruction and ruin? Of course, He can. We don't know
what all of those things will be, but might they not include the following?
Restoring health that was compromised. Providing the
finances that seem to have been wiped out. Causing previously antagonistic
neighbors to be ready to listen. Having lost family members saved after seeing the
testimony of a spouse, child, or parent. Raising up Bible studies and church
plants in new towns. Opening previously closed countries. Encouraging church
members who previously wavered to now be faithful. Bringing greater unity in
the church. Making the people more reliant on prayer and the Bible. Drawing families
closer together and challenging dads to be more involved and to lead. Calling young
men to the ministry. Filling the schedule with meetings. Allowing and prospering
trips abroad.
Unlikely? Can't happen? Remember, nothing is too hard for
God. He can do great and mighty things that we don't even know. He invites us
to call to Him and ask. God knows what He will be pleased to do, but He desires
to respond to our prayers - prayers that acknowledge His power over the
impossible and that rely on Him to do what we cannot do.
May God continue to bless you through these unusual and
challenging days, and may He do great and mighty things in your lives and in
your ministries.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Saturday, April 18, 2020
04182020 Never Too Hard for God
Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who never faces a day that is too hard for Him. Isn't that an amazing thought? Some of us are living in times when it seems like every day is too hard, but that never happens for God.
God gave Jeremiah a powerful lesson about this truth in Jeremiah 32. At this point, Jeremiah had been prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem for over forty years. Although the fulfillment had been a long time coming, the destruction was now imminent; the besieging army had already placed ramps against the city walls. Jeremiah himself was in prison (v. 2).
For Jeremiah, it was not difficult to believe that Jerusalem's destruction was near. But God gave Jeremiah something to believe that was a little more challenging. God told Jeremiah that a cousin would come and ask him to buy a piece of land; Jeremiah was to proceed with the purchase (v. 7). The command seemed ludicrous. Why would God speak of owning property when He was actually in the process of delivering that property to enemies? Why should Jeremiah purchase land that was about to be snatched away? God was bringing about the very opposite of what His instruction to Jeremiah seemed to indicate. Jeremiah could purchase the land, but there was no way he was going to be able to actually possess it.
Jeremiah obeyed God. He purchased the land. He went through the whole process of paying money, signing the deed, calling witnesses, and storing the documents (vs. 9-14). Then he brought his doubts to God. "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee" (v. 17). He starts with that premise and reviews truth about God's character and past work (vs. 18-24), and then he reaches his question: "And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for [although] the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans" (v. 25).
Jeremiah knew what God was like. Jeremiah did what God asked. But Jeremiah was confused. In essence, he was saying, "God, I've done what You asked me to do because I know who You are, but I don't understand."
God heard Jeremiah's question, and He gave Jeremiah an answer in three parts. First, He repeated the truth that Jeremiah had stated in v. 17. God reaffirmed, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (v. 27). God reinforced what Jeremiah was already trying to believe. This answer requires faith. In the midst of not understanding, it is acceptance that God can do anything He says, even if we don't see how.
Second, God confirmed this truth to Jeremiah by giving him some reminders. God had kept His word in the past. He had told Jeremiah that his cousin would come with the offer of land, and he had. God was keeping His word in the present. He had said that the city would be destroyed, and it was happening before Jeremiah’s eyes. God would just as faithfully keep His word in the future, and Jeremiah (and Israelites who outlived him) would indeed own the land. God argues from His faithfulness: "Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them" (v. 42). God will continue keeping His Word, whether we understand how or not. He has proven Himself over and over again.
Third, God gave Jeremiah the explanation. He declared that He would restore the land to Israel (v. 44). There would be a temporary time when Israel was exiled and when others would own the land, but it was only temporary. So Jeremiah understood. He was correct that he would not go and take possession of that land immediately, but he now understood that his land ownership was in essence a prophecy regarding God's intention to restore Israel's land in the future.
God put an "impossible" situation of land ownership in front of Jeremiah, but it wasn't actually impossible. Our "impossible" situations aren't impossible either. No matter how difficult a situation looks, God’s Word can be trusted. His character and past dealings have proven His faithfulness. We have the first two reassurances that God gave to Jeremiah - His declared Word and His proven faithfulness. We may not always see the third - the explanation - but that doesn't mean God isn't right. It doesn't stop God from being in complete control nor from accomplishing everything that is in His plan.
Nothing is too difficult for God. He is powerful enough to fulfill all that He is bold enough to declare. Even if His current actions seem to be in direct conflict with His promises, He is doing everything that He said, and He will accomplish it all.
May God give you faith to wait on Him this week and confidence to trust His character and His plan.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Greetings in the name of the God who never faces a day that is too hard for Him. Isn't that an amazing thought? Some of us are living in times when it seems like every day is too hard, but that never happens for God.
God gave Jeremiah a powerful lesson about this truth in Jeremiah 32. At this point, Jeremiah had been prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem for over forty years. Although the fulfillment had been a long time coming, the destruction was now imminent; the besieging army had already placed ramps against the city walls. Jeremiah himself was in prison (v. 2).
For Jeremiah, it was not difficult to believe that Jerusalem's destruction was near. But God gave Jeremiah something to believe that was a little more challenging. God told Jeremiah that a cousin would come and ask him to buy a piece of land; Jeremiah was to proceed with the purchase (v. 7). The command seemed ludicrous. Why would God speak of owning property when He was actually in the process of delivering that property to enemies? Why should Jeremiah purchase land that was about to be snatched away? God was bringing about the very opposite of what His instruction to Jeremiah seemed to indicate. Jeremiah could purchase the land, but there was no way he was going to be able to actually possess it.
Jeremiah obeyed God. He purchased the land. He went through the whole process of paying money, signing the deed, calling witnesses, and storing the documents (vs. 9-14). Then he brought his doubts to God. "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee" (v. 17). He starts with that premise and reviews truth about God's character and past work (vs. 18-24), and then he reaches his question: "And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for [although] the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans" (v. 25).
Jeremiah knew what God was like. Jeremiah did what God asked. But Jeremiah was confused. In essence, he was saying, "God, I've done what You asked me to do because I know who You are, but I don't understand."
God heard Jeremiah's question, and He gave Jeremiah an answer in three parts. First, He repeated the truth that Jeremiah had stated in v. 17. God reaffirmed, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (v. 27). God reinforced what Jeremiah was already trying to believe. This answer requires faith. In the midst of not understanding, it is acceptance that God can do anything He says, even if we don't see how.
Second, God confirmed this truth to Jeremiah by giving him some reminders. God had kept His word in the past. He had told Jeremiah that his cousin would come with the offer of land, and he had. God was keeping His word in the present. He had said that the city would be destroyed, and it was happening before Jeremiah’s eyes. God would just as faithfully keep His word in the future, and Jeremiah (and Israelites who outlived him) would indeed own the land. God argues from His faithfulness: "Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them" (v. 42). God will continue keeping His Word, whether we understand how or not. He has proven Himself over and over again.
Third, God gave Jeremiah the explanation. He declared that He would restore the land to Israel (v. 44). There would be a temporary time when Israel was exiled and when others would own the land, but it was only temporary. So Jeremiah understood. He was correct that he would not go and take possession of that land immediately, but he now understood that his land ownership was in essence a prophecy regarding God's intention to restore Israel's land in the future.
God put an "impossible" situation of land ownership in front of Jeremiah, but it wasn't actually impossible. Our "impossible" situations aren't impossible either. No matter how difficult a situation looks, God’s Word can be trusted. His character and past dealings have proven His faithfulness. We have the first two reassurances that God gave to Jeremiah - His declared Word and His proven faithfulness. We may not always see the third - the explanation - but that doesn't mean God isn't right. It doesn't stop God from being in complete control nor from accomplishing everything that is in His plan.
Nothing is too difficult for God. He is powerful enough to fulfill all that He is bold enough to declare. Even if His current actions seem to be in direct conflict with His promises, He is doing everything that He said, and He will accomplish it all.
May God give you faith to wait on Him this week and confidence to trust His character and His plan.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 11, 2020
04112020 Heart Weakness
Dear Missionary Lady,
I'm hesitant to assume that others have the same degree of heart weakness that I have. At the same time, I realize that we are all frail creatures who sometimes struggle. The causes, timing, intensity, and areas of struggle differ from one person to the next, but we are all human. So at the risk of failing to relate to those who are not struggling (or those whose maturity means that their struggles are generally rare and shallow), I want to share from the heart with those who may currently have some need. I will include several quotations from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, a very timely book that repeatedly reinforced what God is teaching me.
The world is engulfed in a pandemic that has introduced accompanying deep challenges practically, economically, socially, and emotionally. That may be the most common area of struggle for us currently, although some may be handling that fine; other dynamics unrelated to that event may be affecting others or will in the future.
Struggle does not have to mean the depths of agony or the hardest thing you've gone through in years. Sometimes it does mean that, even for mature Christians. The depth of our struggle may cause us to ask hard questions or to accuse ourselves harshly. We may feel deep failure and disappointment at our inability to "handle things right," wondering if we have forgotten everything God has ever taught us. Or our responses might be much less intense, but still we are left wondering why we are impacted as much as we are, when we think we should just be able to trust God and move forward unperturbed.
Those who are in positions of ministry and leadership can feel a responsibility to be strong for everyone else, to not show any weakness, to be prepared to give help to others. I thank God for those who are able to do that, for those who have stability and can provide help. I also know that sometimes we know how to give help, truth, hope, and encouragement to others, while finding those same words somewhat empty and insufficient in our own hearts. What do we do when our tank is empty? How do we respond when we face difficult internal struggles and when our own questions abound? We can know that God has not abandoned us. "Weaknesses do not debar us from mercy; rather they incline God to us the more (Psa. 78:39)." (Sibbes)
Fourth, I have been challenged to prayer. I have to talk to God honestly. Psalm 62:8. I have to ask Him for help, ask Him to do in me what I can't do in myself. Probably the best thing I can do is to ask God to do what He already wants to do in my heart, using verses from His Word as a basis. I've seen God answer such prayers this week, giving help and strength at times that it didn't humanly make sense, but I knew God was answering my prayers.
Fifth, I was reminded again that God determines what my spiritual growth looks like and how He will bring it about. Maybe for now, God intends life to be hard, and He wants to see me continue faithfully with Him anyway. Maybe He wants me to walk through a dark valley so that I can learn lessons I wouldn't learn elsewhere. I Peter 1:7. God knows how long that time needs to be and how He will bring me out. "God often works by contraries: when he means to give victory, he will allow us to be foiled at first; when he means to comfort, he will terrify first; when he means to justify, he will condemn us first; when he means to make us glorious, he will abase us first." (Sibbes)
Sixth, God will give victory in His time to those who earnestly desire and seek it. I need to wait patiently on Him. Galatians 6:9. "So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together." "Grace, as the seed in the parable, grows, we know not how. Yet at length, when God sees fittest, we shall see that all our endeavor has not been in vain. The tree falls upon the last stroke, yet all the strokes help the work forward." (Sibbes)
Conclusion, (which means the conclusion of this letter and certainly not the conclusion of growth), God, or Satan, or my own flesh, or a combination thereof, is bringing many challenges into my life right now. Satan means it to destroy me, but God means it for good and for growth. I'm not in a position of answers and victory yet, but there are certain things in which I can be confident, and they all have to do with God and His character and His Word. "Christ will not leave us till he has made us like himself, all glorious within and without, and presented us blameless before his Father (Jude 24). What a comfort this is in our conflicts with our unruly hearts, that it shall not always be thus!" (Sibbes) - To which my heart echoes a hearty "Amen!" May He be with you this week in your own journey.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
I'm hesitant to assume that others have the same degree of heart weakness that I have. At the same time, I realize that we are all frail creatures who sometimes struggle. The causes, timing, intensity, and areas of struggle differ from one person to the next, but we are all human. So at the risk of failing to relate to those who are not struggling (or those whose maturity means that their struggles are generally rare and shallow), I want to share from the heart with those who may currently have some need. I will include several quotations from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, a very timely book that repeatedly reinforced what God is teaching me.
The world is engulfed in a pandemic that has introduced accompanying deep challenges practically, economically, socially, and emotionally. That may be the most common area of struggle for us currently, although some may be handling that fine; other dynamics unrelated to that event may be affecting others or will in the future.
Struggle does not have to mean the depths of agony or the hardest thing you've gone through in years. Sometimes it does mean that, even for mature Christians. The depth of our struggle may cause us to ask hard questions or to accuse ourselves harshly. We may feel deep failure and disappointment at our inability to "handle things right," wondering if we have forgotten everything God has ever taught us. Or our responses might be much less intense, but still we are left wondering why we are impacted as much as we are, when we think we should just be able to trust God and move forward unperturbed.
Those who are in positions of ministry and leadership can feel a responsibility to be strong for everyone else, to not show any weakness, to be prepared to give help to others. I thank God for those who are able to do that, for those who have stability and can provide help. I also know that sometimes we know how to give help, truth, hope, and encouragement to others, while finding those same words somewhat empty and insufficient in our own hearts. What do we do when our tank is empty? How do we respond when we face difficult internal struggles and when our own questions abound? We can know that God has not abandoned us. "Weaknesses do not debar us from mercy; rather they incline God to us the more (Psa. 78:39)." (Sibbes)
One
truth God showed me is from James 1:2-4. God uses trials to
bring maturity. Attaining maturity means we don't already have it, that there
is something we need to learn and an area where we need to grow. God helped me
to see that this is a new situation that I've never been in before. It is a new
trial designed to teach new lessons and bring new maturity. There's a brand new
learning curve. I feel like
I'm standing on bare ground on this particular project, just starting to gather
the materials and prepare the foundation. God has things to do in me through
this trial, and growth always starts somewhere. There's nothing wrong with
being at the beginning of a time of spiritual growth. "But if God brings
us into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out,
more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9)." (Sibbes)
A
second realization is that I have a responsibility to seek growth. I won't find
the answers through hours of self-contemplation and analysis, nor by having the
opportunity to tell someone else all about my struggle. The solution is in
seeking God's truth in His Word and in other godly sources. Psalm 119:130. I
once had a friend tell me that God's truth is like a stream that will carry us
to growth, but we have to get in the stream. Even when it's hard and we don't
really feel like it. "As we set about duty, God strengthens the influence
that he has in us. We find a warmness of heart and increase of strength, the
Spirit going along with us and raising us up by degrees." (Sibbes)
A
third lesson is my own inadequacy. I can't manufacture spiritual growth. That
is God's work, a spiritual work, facilitated by His Spirit who lives in me. Philippians
1:6. I can desire growth, but I can't force it to happen. "Nature, simply
considered, cannot raise itself above itself to actions which are spiritual and
of a higher order and nature. Therefore the divine power of Christ is necessary
to carry us above all our own strength, especially in duties in which we meet
with greater opposition; for there, not only nature will fail us, but ordinary
grace, unless there is a stronger and a new supply. In taking up a burden that
is weightier than ordinary, if there is not a greater proportion of strength
than weight, the one who undertakes it will lie under the burden; so for every
strong encounter there must be a new supply of strength." "The
victory lies not with us, but with Christ, who has taken on him both to conquer
for us and to conquer in us. The victory lies neither in our own strength to
get it, nor in our enemies' strength to defeat it." (Sibbes)
Fourth, I have been challenged to prayer. I have to talk to God honestly. Psalm 62:8. I have to ask Him for help, ask Him to do in me what I can't do in myself. Probably the best thing I can do is to ask God to do what He already wants to do in my heart, using verses from His Word as a basis. I've seen God answer such prayers this week, giving help and strength at times that it didn't humanly make sense, but I knew God was answering my prayers.
Fifth, I was reminded again that God determines what my spiritual growth looks like and how He will bring it about. Maybe for now, God intends life to be hard, and He wants to see me continue faithfully with Him anyway. Maybe He wants me to walk through a dark valley so that I can learn lessons I wouldn't learn elsewhere. I Peter 1:7. God knows how long that time needs to be and how He will bring me out. "God often works by contraries: when he means to give victory, he will allow us to be foiled at first; when he means to comfort, he will terrify first; when he means to justify, he will condemn us first; when he means to make us glorious, he will abase us first." (Sibbes)
Sixth, God will give victory in His time to those who earnestly desire and seek it. I need to wait patiently on Him. Galatians 6:9. "So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together." "Grace, as the seed in the parable, grows, we know not how. Yet at length, when God sees fittest, we shall see that all our endeavor has not been in vain. The tree falls upon the last stroke, yet all the strokes help the work forward." (Sibbes)
Conclusion, (which means the conclusion of this letter and certainly not the conclusion of growth), God, or Satan, or my own flesh, or a combination thereof, is bringing many challenges into my life right now. Satan means it to destroy me, but God means it for good and for growth. I'm not in a position of answers and victory yet, but there are certain things in which I can be confident, and they all have to do with God and His character and His Word. "Christ will not leave us till he has made us like himself, all glorious within and without, and presented us blameless before his Father (Jude 24). What a comfort this is in our conflicts with our unruly hearts, that it shall not always be thus!" (Sibbes) - To which my heart echoes a hearty "Amen!" May He be with you this week in your own journey.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 4, 2020
04042020 There's Within My Heart a Melody
Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings! I trust that our great God is giving you grace, peace, strength, and wisdom in these days. Although many human labors and activities have come to a halt, God has not stopped working. He is actively seeking and calling men to turn to Him; may He help us to see the opportunities to be a part of that process.
Today I want to share a special hymn with you. There's a funny story about this hymn. When I was in college, I had a good friend named Melody, and her boyfriend used to sing the first line of the first stanza: "There's within my heart a melody." He was from Mexico, and ironically, his name was Suni. So she would sing the first line of the fifth stanza: "Suni's coming back to welcome me."
Quirky story aside, I love this hymn, and it has often encouraged me. I hope it will do the same for you.
1. There's within my heart a melody;/ Jesus whispers sweet and low,/ "Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,"/ In all of life's ebb and flow.
Oh, how sweet, that He whispers such tender and reassuring messages to us, when indeed life is filled with ups and downs - times when we are doing so well that we almost forget we need His tender words, and then times so difficult that we desperately cling to them. His message of care to us never stops.
2. All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,/ Discord filled my heart with pain;/ Jesus swept across the broken strings,/ Stirred the slumbering chords again.
I think the author is referring to the difference between pre-salvation and post-salvation, and what a wonder that He did in rescuing us. It is also true that at times we become broken and battered even as Christians, and He is good to restore us and give a song once again.
3. Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,/ Trials fall across the way,/ Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,/ See His footprints all the way.
No one who has been a Christian long and who has his eyes open would deny that these challenging times come - deep waters, trials, rough paths. They are hard, but we are never without help. Jesus guides us and leads us through those times. We can get through because He helps us.
4. Feasting on the riches of His grace,/ Resting 'neath His sheltering wing,/ Always looking on His smiling face,/ That is why I shout and sing.
Hopefully you're doing a better job of this than I am right now, but I still know it's true - that our Savior gives such great blessings and care that we don't need to be overwhelmed or defeated by the trials. We can see His richness, His protection, His joy, in every situation, and we can rejoice in Him.
5. Soon He's coming back to welcome me/ Far beyond the starry sky;/ I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown;/ I shall reign with Him on high.
This is wonderful truth! This life does not last forever. The day is coming - soon - when He will rescue us from this broken world and take us to a beautiful and perfect world where we will be forever with Him.
Refrain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,/ Sweetest name I know,/ Fills my every longing,/ Keeps me singing as I go.
May Jesus be all that you need this week. May He give you joy and strength to go on doing everything that He wants you to do. What you do today matters for eternity, and we do it all because of Him.
"My beloved is ... the chiefest among ten thousand" (Song of Solomon 5:10).
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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