09262020 Support When Abandoned

 

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the ever-present God, the one who faithfully stands by us in every situation.

Lesson #7. Other people, even those closest to us, might not understand or support us in our struggle.

It does not seem that Job should have been so alone in his trial. There were many layers of relationships around him that should have offered comfort and support, but it appears that all of them failed.

How about his colleagues, business partners, or counterparts in society? "All my inward friends abhor me" (19:19). (Referring to those who would assemble, counsel, or consult together.)

Surely, children with their tender and compassionate hearts. "Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me" (19:18).

What about faithful and devoted servants (the few that remained)? "They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth" (19:15-16).

What about friends? Some friends are even closer than family. "Mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me" (19:13). "My familiar friends have forgotten me" (19:14). "They whom I loved are turned against me" (19:19).

Four friends did come, who from all appearances were genuinely impacted by Job's struggle and who sincerely desired to help him. These were godly friends, which we would expect of the closest companions of a godly man like Job. They had a significant amount of knowledge about God and wisdom concerning spiritual things. But their limited knowledge, their obstinate evaluations, and perhaps some impatience  caused their intended help to be painful, detrimental, and frustrating.

How about Job's extended family? "My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away" (6:15). "He has put my brethren far from me" (19:13). "My kinsfolk have failed" (19:14).

Notwithstanding all of these failures, there was one person who should have been of immense support to Job, his wife. It would seem likely that she shared his belief in God and had been following God along with Job through the years. Her role as his wife was to be his supporter and helper. Theoretically, she was the closest person to him.

When things got really hard for Job, "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die" (2:9). In the thing that was most important to him, his faithfulness to God, she not only jumped ship but encouraged Job to abandon God also. Job later says, "My breath is strange [foreign, offensive] to my wife" (19:17). She didn't even want him close to her. I don't picture any tender ministrations at her hand or any faithful companionship. Her treatment really was one of rejection at a time that Job sorely needed support and kindness.

Quite understandably, Job felt these losses. He stated the ideal: "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty" (6:14). Job recognized the importance of godly support that helps the sufferer to continue faithfully with God. Instead, he felt abandoned by all. As hard as it is to be alone in trouble, the interactions or unfaithfulness of others cannot determine our own response. We must follow God anyway.

It is encouraging to know that God knows all about the abandonment and unacceptable responses of others. Just as God works His plan in our own life in His timing, God will also work regarding others in His timing. He may cause them to change their minds and acknowledge their shortcomings.

In the end, God rebuked the three friends for their wrong words. He instructed them to humbly go to Job and ask him to make prayers and sacrifices of repentance on their behalf (42:8-9). Thus there was an eventual restoration and renewed relationship with those who had previously abused Job with their words.

The family members and other acquaintances were also adjusted by God. "Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold" (42:11). There were a lot of people who had failed to support Job properly who eventually came around.

Even better than the possibility of people changing in the future is the present hope of the God who never changes. "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee'" (Hebrews 13:5). "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up" (Psalm 27:10). "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24), and in no other friend is that displayed as dramatically as it is with God.

Yes, it is possible (although not probable) that we can be abandoned and misunderstood by all, but we will always have the presence and comforting support of God, who knows and understands far better than anyone else. He alone can sustain us even in the loneliest of times. May you find Him to be your best and closest friend this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA 

09192020 Unknown Purposes

 

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our wise God. He knows so much that we don't know, and He even knows how to make good come out of bad.

Lesson #6. We almost certainly don't know all that God is doing in the midst of suffering. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. ... And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face" (1:6, 8-11). The second round of this heavenly discussion is found in 2:1-6.

Job's trial had supernatural, or celestial, significance. Job knew nothing of this cosmic contest, of this incident through which God intended to put Satan's accusations to silence. Satan was impugning the character of God and calling into question the possibility of genuine belief and devotion. Job, the chosen but unwitting participant, was a stellar example of a God-follower (1:1,8). If Satan could bring down the best, which he believed he could do, he could mock and belittle God.

There was a celestial audience to this challenge, and perhaps all the heavenly hosts as well as their fallen counterparts were riveted on this contest, waiting to see what would happen. God and Satan were certainly watching (2:1-3). Who knows what the consequences would have been if Job had failed. God would still have been God. He still would have been good and powerful. In fact, nothing about God or His authority would have changed. But Satan would have gained confidence, perhaps enough to escalate his evil activity in the world. Perhaps more angels would have chosen his side. The point is not so much what might have happened as it is that Job was completely unaware of this level of interaction. Job did not know how significant his trial was.

As far as we know from the Biblical record, Job never knew. He didn't know that his record would be preserved for the instruction and encouragement of Christians through the ages. Certainly he wondered why everything was happening. He rightfully claimed that he did not deserve it. What did he understand? If we were to ask Job when he emerged from the end of his trial what he thought the reason or benefit was, what would he say? Based on his words at the end of the book, his answer would basically come down to this: I know God better now than I did before. That seems to be about as much as Job understood.

Even with the helpful revelation included in the book, we still don't know all the purposes God had in Job's trial. What impact did it have on his friends? His community? His wife? How was Job different going forward? How did the experience impact the way he raised his new children?

Because of the truths revealed in the New Testament, we have some understanding of the reasons and benefits of trials in our own lives. (Romans 8:28-29 and James 1:2-4, for example.) But do we know all that God is doing? I think that is impossible. At the very least, God is working in us. Very likely, He is working through us to touch the lives of many others. And beyond that, only God knows.

I have often heard people talk about a trial they have come through and say something like, "Knowing what I know now, I would do it all over again." Well, imagine if we actually knew all there was to know! I think we would more readily embrace the difficulties of our lives and would have greater peace as we go through them. It has been truly said that God never wastes anything, not even a trial.

This week as we continue through current trials or as we face new ones, may we "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

09122020 Multiplied Trials

 

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings once again in the name of our gracious God. It is my pleasure to again communicate with you some of the truth that He is showing me. I realize that some of you are older and have more maturity and wisdom, and I appreciate your graciousness in receiving my messages and perhaps overlooking things that may not come across just right to you. I know that each message may not strike each person with the same impact, but my prayer is that God will use each one to help someone, and that each of you will feel remembered and cared for.

Lesson #5. Troubles can come cascading one on top of the other.

Out of the clear blue, Job's world was precipitously turned upside down. There Job sat on a completely ordinary day, with blessing and prosperity all around. One of his servants entered the room - not extraordinary in itself. But from that moment, Job's life fell apart piece by piece. In a short time, (perhaps an hour or two, but related to Job in five to ten minutes), he lost everything. The first messenger (1:15-15) told about the oxen and donkeys, all of which were lost when the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. All the accompanying servants were killed except for the messenger.

The second messenger (1:16) had already entered and had to wait for the first man to finish. He told of the sheep. In a frightful event, fire had fallen from heaven and consumed them all. Only one servant escaped that devastation.

The third messenger (1:17) had waited his turn. He told of the camels, captured in an orchestrated raid by the Chaldeans. Again only one servant survived the accompanying slaughter.

This was an unspeakably horrible day in the office. I'm not certain the precise use of each group of animals, but it would seem Job had lost his "tractors," the ability to perform the needed work in his fields. He lost his source of income and his clothing supply. He lost his transportation fleet. He lost all of his employees except four.

Before Job even had time to absorb this overwhelming news or consider its impact, the fourth remaining servant (1:18-19) waited to share his tragic news. A great wind, unnatural in its movement, shattered the house where his ten children were, and they were all lost, along with all the servants but one.

It was only a short time later, perhaps days or weeks, when Satan unleashed yet another horrific attack (2:7), bringing a wretched disease upon Job. He had probably thought that life could not possibly get any worse, but it did.

Our minds are staggered by the story of Job. Sometimes our minds are staggered by our own stories, even though we rarely (if ever) suffer a series of disasters so devastating.

The past half year might be the closest some of us have ever come. The virus itself would be enough. But day after day, as we received new information, the messengers kept giving more bad news. Travel restrictions. Ministry restrictions. Isolation. Reduced liberties. Week after week, the messengers have arrived with additional implications. Bad feelings toward foreigners. Loss of financial support. Canceled trips and ministries. Sick friends. Hampered supply chains. Resentment toward churches. Protests and rioting.

So much has happened in such a short time. And this does not even include the difficulties of normal life or the situations that already existed. Things like personal or family health concerns. The burden of the ministry. Situations with family members back home. Countries on the brink of financial ruin. Unstable political situations. Challenges with the children. Working for the stability of new believers.

And for some, additional unrelated events have been added on. I think of the country of Lebanon and the devastating explosion that not only destroyed buildings and took lives, but also greatly affected supply lines, food reserves, medical access, and more, as well as upheaval of the government.

What good can it possibly do to consider all the layers of pain? How is this truth helpful, that troubles can pile on top of each other to profound levels? Honestly, there would seem to be no hope in this knowledge if we did not know the rest of the story of Job or if we did not have the rest of the Bible. But because we do, there are things we know. The verses referenced below all refer to trials in abundance.

First, multiplied trials are not unusual. They do not make us unique. They are not a sure sign that we must be facing God's displeasure. No, sometimes God does ordain situations like this even for His faithful children. (II Corinthians 7:5)

Second, God is doing His work through them. Sometimes it is the combination of trials that perfectly accomplishes what would not happen through just one or two. (James 1:2-4, I Peter 1:6-7)

Third, God never leaves us, even when trials multiply. He gives His help and comfort. (II Corinthians 7:6, II Corinthians 1:5)

Fourth, even in the midst of multiplied trials, we are not completely in despair. It may be very hard for us, but we have foundational truth and hope in God that can sustain us. (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

Fifth, no matter how hard and how many our trials are, God can deliver in His way and in His time. There is an answer coming sometime. (II Timothy 3:11)

No matter what happens, God is still God. He is still in control. He still cares. He is still enough. Job responded to his multiplied trials with worship: "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (1:21).

May God bless you this week, my sisters, and give you all the grace you need.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

09052020 Test of Faith

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who is worth following. There are people who doubt that, but those who have sincerely done it know the truth.

Lesson #4. Suffering is a test of our faithfulness to God.

"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face" (1:9-11).

Satan knew exactly what he wanted and expected to have happen when he tested Job. Satan thought the trial would be so great and the personal loss so devastating that Job would reject God. Not just backslide, not just walk away, but actually turn against God. He repeated the same expectation after the first round of trials did not have their intended result. "But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face" (2:5).

Was this just some misguided and perverted thinking of the devil? Or is turning from God something that people actually consider? Is such a consideration common in trials, or is it so rare that few people would do it? Consider this: "Then his wife said unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die" (2:9). Job's wife did not bear as much of the trial as Job did, but she was ready to reject God and to encourage him to do so.

We all know the sad truth, because we have seen it happen. How many people that we went to high school with (assuming they were professing Christians) are still walking with God? How many people have we gone to church with over the years who have since rejected God? How many people have you ministered to who at some point turned their backs on Christianity? The stories are staggering. For many of those people, the ultimate reason was suffering. People refuse to follow a God whom they accuse of treating them harshly. Their faith quits.

New Testament writers also acknowledge the danger within trials, the potential for them to squelch faith. James refers to the "trying of your faith" (James 1:3). Peter talks about "the trial of your faith ... though it be tried with fire" (I Peter 1:7). When faith is tested and put to the fire, not always does it come through unscathed. Sometimes it fails.

But when people are unswervingly dedicated to God, when they love Him with all their being, when they are absolutely committed to Him, when they are convinced that there is no other way, then their faith passes the test. They remain faithful to God. Even if everything is destroyed. Even if they die in the process. Falling away is by no means inevitable. Job didn't. Neither did these believers: "And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented ... they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:35-39).

These heroes of faith followed God to the death if necessary. They were human, and undoubtedly they were tempted to leave God, but they didn't. They persevered. What does God say about people who loyally follow Him to that degree? "(Of whom the world was not worthy) ... and these all, having obtained a good report through faith" (Hebrews 11:38-39).

What an amazing testimony that God gives of faithful men, of those who steadfastly follow Him in spite of intense trial! He approves them! He esteems that this wicked world is not even worthy of their presence. God takes great pleasure in those who pass the test and remain faithful.

It's easy to follow God when everything is going well, but if our faith is real, we will continue to follow Him even in trouble. Why? Because we don't follow God just so that we can receive visible blessings; we follow Him because we have made a decision to have a relationship with Him. We follow Him because there is no other path. When we have that level of belief and commitment, we can say with Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

Life can be very hard. Trials can be intense. Our faith might be battered. We might be tempted to draw back from God. But is that the reputation we want? That we turned back in the day of trouble? Surely not. How our hearts would thrill to hear the words of God, "She gained my approval because her faith endured." Remember that it is a test of faith. Don't let Satan win. Not even the smallest victory. Faith in God is always well-placed.

May God bless you this week and give you grace and strength to follow Him wherever the pathway may lie.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

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