06262021 It's All True

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our amazing God. He is filled with characteristics that define Him and that mean everything to us.

Lesson #44. Trials provide an opportunity to see God revealed up close and personal. Job said, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (42:5). Job would have spoken these words with deep and meaningful realization.

For people who have grown up in church, the attributes of God are well-known. These Christians can list and give definitions for the characteristics of God. Without a context, however, in which those characteristics become personally meaningful, this head knowledge has limited impact on practical life. In the context of a trial, especially one that is intense or extended, the attributes of God move from head knowledge to precious practical truth.

God is infinite. Adam, the first man, sinned and created an unbearable separation from God. Adam had no person to turn to for help, but there was a God who preceded him. There was a God who would live on long after Adam's death. There was an infinitely existing God who could foresee the problem and then carry out a redemptive plan to deliver Adam from his hopeless situation.

God is immutable. Esther had been removed from her homeland, had lost her parents, and was cast into the unlikely role of queen. The extinction of her people was imminent. Esther’s God had not changed. He was the same in Persia as He had been in Israel, the same in captivity as He was in independence, the same to the orphan as He was to the family. Although a heavy responsibility and high level of risk rested upon her shoulders, Esther could rely on an unchanging God.

God is self-sufficient. Elijah saw this attribute in wonderful form. In a time of drought and famine, Elijah was isolated and without resources. He saw God supply for him out of His unending resources. Ravens delivered daily food, and a brook supplied his water. When these resources expired, God provided perpetually through a widow’s handful of meal.

God is omnipotent. Moses observed some of God’s most incredible works first-hand. Moses faced the overwhelming role of deliverer to a slave nation held by a powerful and stubborn king. After finally escaping through the amazing miracles of the plagues, Israel was trapped next to the sea, about to be overcome by the pursuing army. God opened the Red Sea for Israel to walk through and then drowned the Egyptians.

God is omniscient. During his long and lonely years as a slave and prisoner, Joseph could not have known what God was going to do. By the end of the story, his eyes were opened. He saw that God had meant his trial for good. Without God’s plan, the fledgling nation of Israel would have perished during the extended famine, but because God knew, He initiated a plan decades in advance.

God is omnipresent. Jeremiah learned this lesson first-hand during his difficult prophetic ministry. Jeremiah lived through the siege of Jerusalem. He was at times thrown into prison. He accompanied the people on an ill-advised trip to Egypt. Eventually he was taken into foreign captivity. In every location, God remained with him.

God is wise. When the children of Israel came to Canaan, they faced mighty walled cities populated by giants and warriors. They did not know how to conquer each one. God gave Joshua instructions that often varied greatly from one situation to the next, but God was never without a solution in each new battle.

God is faithful. God called Abraham to leave his homeland and to live as a sojourner. God promised a son to Abraham. Abraham waited for decades, but God did everything He said He would do. He was with Abraham through every move from place to place, through every new day and year, and He gave the promised son.

God is good. Naomi had suffered tremendous loss when her husband and sons died. In great need, she moved back to Israel. She thought her needs would be minimally met by Ruth’s gleaning in the fields. In his goodness, God provided a redeemer who married Ruth and provided for her and Naomi. Bitter Naomi never expected to see this result.

God is just. Daniel had to make tough choices about his diet as a young man and about continuing to serve God as an older man. His decisions carried great risk, but Daniel found that a just God always worked the right solution. Daniel was protected and exalted, but his enemies were brought down.

God is merciful. In a moment of weakness, Peter denied Jesus multiple times. Realizing his failure brought great bitterness of soul. Jesus personally encouraged and restored Peter, leading him to blessing and renewed fellowship. God then greatly used this man who may have doubted ever having future usefulness.

God is gracious. In his missionary ministry, Paul faced dangers, endured opposition, suffered deprivation, carried responsibility, and was afflicted physically. Paul learned about the all-sufficiency of God's grace, experiencing God’s strengthening and sustaining through each challenge.

God is loving. Poor Hannah was without child and constantly belittled. For years this burden overwhelmed her heart, but then God responded by giving Hannah her desired son. In an abundance of unexpected blessing, God then gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters.

God is holy. Lot learned this in a very personal way as a front-row spectator to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness.

God is glorious. John had been tortured and placed into exile. As an old man, he waited in isolation. Then God revealed Himself through a vision, showing John a glorious display of Himself and of heaven. The remainder of John’s days were blessed with this incredible memory.

Each of these Bible characters could have quoted what Job quoted: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” Each of these characters knew about God, but through their trials, God’s truth was personally and powerfully revealed. God continues this same work through trials today, taking fact and theory and making it personal and powerful.

Through trials, we can move from sterile, detached facts to deep and precious first-hand comprehension. Rather than wondering at other people’s stories, we now have personally precious truth to carry us through the rest of our lives. These lessons could not be so profoundly and meaningfully learned without the context through which they were so beautifully revealed. Through trials, we learn that everything we have ever been taught about God is true.

May God refresh and encourage you through the first-hand comprehension He has given and is giving you.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

06192021 God's Masterpieces

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the Master Creator, who has created things beyond our comprehension. He truly has all skill and wisdom and power.

Lesson #43. God’s zoological masterpieces powerfully illustrate His reassuring attributes. God concludes His remarks to Job by describing two mighty beasts, possibly both dinosaurs. The first is behemoth (40:15-24), and the second is leviathan (41:1-34). These two amazing creatures share many revelatory characteristics.

First, God made both creatures, and He carefully crafted them. He gave thought and planning to the process. Some of leviathan’s traits are described, including tightly joined protective scales through which nothing can pass (41:12-17). The same God that made these great creatures also made man. “Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee” (40:15). If God made these creatures so carefully, designing them with exactly the right characteristics, we know He used the same care and planning when He made us. “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth” (Psalm 139:15).

Second, these creatures depend on God. Behemoth calmly waits on God, whether in time of peace or time of danger (40:20-23). He does not fret over what is happening around him. “Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not” (40:23). Leviathan actually “laugheth at the shaking of a spear” (41:29). These creatures live the lives God has given them without fear. Can we not also trust our Maker? “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7).

Third, behemoth cannot be captured (40:24), and this seems to be even more so for leviathan (41:1-10). Man’s greatest weapons, schemes, and concerted attempts cannot master these creatures. “Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more” (41:8). If men are no match even before these creations of God, how can they possibly set themselves against God Himself? “None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?” (41:10). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Fourth, both beasts are incredible in their power. Behemoth’s “strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly” (40:16). Leviathan has “power” (41:12). He is, in fact, terrifying. “By his neesings a light doth shine … out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out … his breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth” (41:18-21). Even the mightiest men fear before him (41:25). These beasts have only the strength given to them by God, and it is far less than God’s strength. Is not God capable of caring for us? “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Fifth, God provides for these creatures. Behemoth lies in the marsh, surrounded by God’s provision (40:20-22). Leviathan doesn’t lack the courage or ability to take anything he needs.  God takes care of these powerful creatures who would not even seem to need His help, and He surely cares for us who are so needy. “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).

Sixth, every living being on the earth belongs to God. “Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine” (41:11). Behemoth, the greatest of all creatures, is His, and leviathan, the fiercest of all creatures, is also His. Nothing is so big or grand that it is outside God’s control and care. Man actually enjoys a special place in the plan of God, being welcomed into personal relationship with Him. “It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).

Indeed, the mighty behemoth “is the chief of the ways of God” (40:19). God Himself declares that “upon earth there is not [levianthan’s] like” (41:33). Yet as fascinating and superlative as these two creatures are, they are merely creatures. They are creations of the One who is so much more amazing, of the One who was easily able to craft them with the word of His mouth. Any amazement, wonder, admiration, fear, or dread that we have of these great creatures pales beside our estimation of the Creator God, who is immeasurably greater than anything He has made. “For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9).

All of God’s creation is used to share the characteristics studied in previous lessons: His wisdom, His power, His provision, His sovereignty, and His righteousness. God shared with Job these two special creatures as the conclusion of revealing His greatness. God has effectively presented Himself to Job in all of His glory. He is truly a God who can be trusted even in the darkest night.

May this great God walk with you and show you His greatness this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA 

06122021 God's Righteousness

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who is always right. Wow! We can’t say that about anyone else, but we can confidently say it about God.

Lesson #42. God declares His position of righteousness. In these verses (40:1-14), God calls Job to a point of solemn contemplation. God questions the possibility that Job actually has anything authoritative to say. God opens the passage with this challenge: “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it” (40:2). God closes the passage with His conclusion to the challenge, having presented a “then” that Job can’t possibly fulfill: “Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee” (40:14).

Between this opening and closing, God presents His position of righteousness by contrasting Himself with Job. God presents the possibility that Job make himself as manly and brave as possible. In that bravery, would Job assert himself to find fault with God? Would Job dare to present his own answer instead? “Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me” (40:7). God wants to know if Job really thinks he has a better answer than God does. Does Job actually think he could possibly have a better plan? Would Job deign to suggest that his own plan should override God’s or that he has power anything like God has? God asks, “Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” (40:8-9).

Between His opening and closing, God also presents Job's position (vs. 10-14). If Job were to be the most impressive that he could be, he could not think of knowing or doing what God knows and does. God presents Job with the challenge of asserting himself with all the dignity and honor he can muster, and in that position being able to bring forth judgment on man. Would Job be able to bring down the proud? Would Job be able to defeat the wicked? The answer is understood. Job cannot humble the proud, and Job cannot defeat the wicked. These are things that only God can do. God's conclusion is that if Job could do those things that only God could do, then Job also would be able to save himself. God's point is that there is only one Person who has the position and the righteousness to make such decisions.

Even before God concluded His arguments, His opening statement was enough to bring Job to his knees. “Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further'” (40:3-5). When confronted by God, Job realized and understood his own position of insignificance. From this point on, Job’s arguments ceased. Job still did not understand what was happening to him. He still knew that his trial was undeserved. We would assume that he still longed to be delivered. But he came to the point of recognizing that he was a mere man standing before an incomparable God.

Job does not outwardly state his answer to God's question: “Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” (40:8). Job’s answer is clear, however. As Job silences himself and acknowledges the Almighty, he expresses his conviction that God alone is able to oversee the world and make decisions for mankind and for individuals.

In our trials we must also come to grips with God's questions. If we had the opportunity and ability, would we actually change what God has decreed? If it came to actually stating it in words, would we really say that we are right and God is wrong? Would we say that to His face? A Christian who is striving to walk with God would not say these things. In the midst of trial, his emotions can be raging, and his thoughts can be conflicting, and he will sometimes find in himself what really are unthinkable thoughts. Often a confrontation like God gave Job will clarify the turmoil and conflict and will crystallize the believer’s thinking. Suddenly he will see the erroneous conclusion that his emotions, thoughts, and words are pointing toward.

When the Christian realizes the implications of his conflicted, confused, overwhelmed, emotion-driven thinking, he does what Job did. He places his hand on his mouth, and he says with conviction, “No, God, I would not change Your plan. I would not declare myself right over You.” When the challenge is placed in such stark terminology, the devoted Christian collapses into submission and humbly retracts his earlier assertions. God alone has the power. God alone is righteous. God alone is in a position to determine the affairs of men. Truly every plan of God is good and right.

Thank God for the confidence that we have in His righteousness. May that confidence enable you to accept what is hard and confusing. We can rejoice in our righteous God and follow Him with full assurance.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

06052021 God's Sovereignty

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our sovereign God. It is a comfort to know that nothing happens to us without His overseeing and shaping it.

Lesson # 41. God declares His own sovereignty. After speaking of His wisdom, power, and provision, God now speaks of His sovereignty in chapter 39. As in the previous cases, His illustrations are found in creation, this time in the animal kingdom. God gives a series of examples that reveal how He has determined the characteristics of each animal.

The first example involves how the animals give birth (vs. 1-4). “Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?” (v. 1). God knows, because He designed it. God knows everything about the reproduction of every animal.

God knows in which season of the year different animals give birth (v. 1). Most animals give birth in the spring, but some births are in summer and fall; bears and squirrels bear young during the winter, nurturing their babies to be ready to emerge into the spring world.

God knows the gestational period of each animal (v. 2). For fruit flies, it is a mere 24-30 hours, but elephants must endure for 22 months.

God knows the birth process for each animal (v. 3). A mole rat’s first litter might be 10 to 15 young, but it gradually reaches a peak of up to 33 babies at once; many larger animals typically have a single birth. Tenrecs give birth to 2-10 babies at a time, each of which is covered in spines that harden as soon as the air touches them, making for a painful delivery.

God knows the growth and developing independence of each new member of the animal kingdom (v. 4). Most snakes and lizards move on without ever seeing their offspring, while other animals stick close to their mothers for many months. Animals differ greatly in each of these characteristics. It was God's sovereignty that determined and established these differences.

The second example has to do with God deliberately making certain creatures wild (vs. 5-12). “Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings” (vs. 5-6). The wild donkey hates civilization, scorns ownership, and forages in the mountains for food. The wild ox is similar. He will not be domesticated and cannot be trusted to live in captivity or be trained for farm labor.

The third example is the ostrich (vs. 13-18). The ostrich seems very foolish when it comes to her children. She leaves her eggs exposed in the earth where they can easily be crushed by the feet of other animals. She does not care for her young in the same way other animals do, and some die as a result. She seems not to care. Why is the ostrich like this? “Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding” (v. 17). Even today the ostrich is commonly considered to be the dumbest animal.

The fourth example is the horse (vs. 19-25). The horse is characterized by boldness. He is mighty and majestic. He leaps and snorts, he aggressively paws the ground, and he bravely goes out to battle. Even in the height of the battle, “he mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword” (v. 22). The horse seems to live for war, aggressively welcoming and embracing the action and even the danger.

The final example is the mighty birds, the hawk and the eagle (vs. 26-30). The hawk soars high above the earth. The eagle makes its nest high on a rocky cliff. He is alert for pray, sweeping down on live animals, and feeding his young with bloody carcasses. Why does he do this? “Doth the hawk fly by your wisdom ... Doth the eagle mount up at thy command” (vs. 26-27). Job didn't determine these characteristics; God did.

In each of these examples, God emphasizes that the various characteristics were by His choice. God determined the birth characteristics of each animal. God made some animals wild. God made the ostrich foolish and the horse brave. God determined the living and eating conditions of the birds of prey. God doesn't give the application explicitly, but the implication is clear. The God who determined every characteristic of the animal kingdom is the same God who is able to determine every characteristic in the lives of humans.

God has complete right and ability to create vast differences between His creatures, and that includes mankind. The lives of individual people vary greatly. The lives of some may seem to be filled with blessing, while the lives of others see one trial after another. Some see divine rescue through dramatic answers, while others see it only in death and heaven. God sovereignly determines the life events for each of His children, whether that be in their family status, financial status, health status, living conditions, types and numbers of trials, areas of service, and even fruitfulness in service.

From a human standpoint, this variation may not seem fair. If God were evil, that might be true, but God is always good. “Thou art good, and doest good” (Psalm 119:68). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). A God who is sovereign over all things has every right to personalize life as His wisdom decrees best. He does not need to give explanations for the variety that He ordains. Because He is good and has all wisdom and all power to do anything that He wants, He is completely worthy of trust. He is fully able to coordinate the best situation and solution for each individual, one that will bring maximum fruit and glory, even when the individual does not realize what is going on. Because our sovereign God is always good and is incomparably wise, the correct response to sovereignly-designed variation is submission and trust.

May God enable you to embrace what His hand has designed and to profit in every good way that He intends. God bless you.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA