04302022 Pleasantness of Life

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our good God who loves to give us blessings. 

The reality that God blesses His children cannot be denied. His statements of blessing are too many to be ignored. Even an objective view of personal experience requires a believer to declare that God has often blessed him. Not all blessing will be constant. Circumstances will change. Nevertheless, there are some aspects of blessing that are constant, and there are many other aspects of blessing that ebb and flow, but the underlying current always exists.

One arena of God’s blessing to believers has to do with the general pleasantness of life. In one word, this can be summarized with the word “give.” God gives to His children in ways that contribute to a general sense of well-being.

This general pleasantness of life can be found in a sense of gladness and joy. There is overlap in the following verses, but each refers to some aspect(s) of gladness, joy, pleasures, songs, and light that God gives. The believer’s way is described as “the path of life.”

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them” (Psalm 5:11). “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:3). “And in the night his song shall be with me” (Psalm 42:8). “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11).

The general pleasantness of life can be seen in the quality of blessing that God gives. God doesn’t just give mediocre blessings or provision that is merely adequate. He gives what is good – yea, what is best! He does not hold back from giving this type of good gift.

“Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good” (Psalm 85:12). “He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you” (Psalm 81:16). “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

The general pleasantness of life can be seen in the quantity that God gives. God gives abundantly, plenteously, bountifully. He gives all that is needed, so that there is no lack, and He often gives well beyond the actual necessity.

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). “He hath dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6). “For there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:9-10). “Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10). “My cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5).

The general pleasantness of life can be displayed in the effect of God’s giving. God’s gifts leave the believer with a sense of contentment, satisfaction, and happiness in realizing the good and abundant provision of God. There is a sense of relaxed well-being in realizing that God has given all that is needed.

“Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things” (Psalm 103:5). “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:2).

Finally, there are a few specific and practical aspects of this general pleasantness of life. These are to some extent circumstantial in nature, yet they are provisions that God habitually gives.

God gives the blessing of health and healing. “Who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:3). This is not always in the time frame or to the extent that we desire, but certainly any of us can look back and see that God has done this over and over again. We can look forward and know that He will ultimately do it for every illness.

God gives the blessing of family. “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table” (Psalm 128:3). This does not look the same for everyone, but there is probably no greater contribution to the pleasantness of life than a godly family to enjoy.

God gives the blessing of heritage. “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage" (Psalm 16:6). God gives to each person his place in life, and there can be great pleasure in enjoying the setting that God has appointed.

Even if a believer argues that he does not currently enjoy all of these pleasures in life to the extent that he desires, he cannot deny that he has enjoyed many if not all of them. The fact that God has made each believer’s life pleasant is easily seen when we look at the contrast. There are verses that talk about the (temporary and fleeting) pleasures that the wicked enjoy, but there are also verses that talk about the general state of the wicked, and it is not a pretty sight. The sad plight of the wicked is that of numerous sorrows. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked” (Psalm 32:10). “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god” (Psalm 16:4). These sorrows come because of the empty futility of life, because of the consequences of their own actions, and because of the lack of blessing from God’s hand.

Is the life of the believer 100% bliss 100% of the time? No. But the believer does enjoy a general and habitual pleasantness of life that cannot be explained in any other way except for the giving of God’s blessing. May you rejoice in these blessings this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

04232022 Blessing of God Intro

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who loves to bless His children. The book of Psalms declares in its very first verse that those who choose God’s paths over the paths of wickedness will be blessed. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

The Psalms contain numerous statements that there is blessing to righteous men, and that such blessing proceeds from God. “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous” (Psalm 5:12). That blessing is abundant and enduring. “For thou hast made him most blessed for ever” (Psalm 21:6).

Many of these verses identify the type of man who enjoys such rich and constant divine blessing. It is someone whom God has chosen. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee” (Psalm 65:4). It is someone who follows the true God. “Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 144:15). It is someone who finds refuge in trusting God. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8, also 2:12, 84:12, 40:4). It is someone who finds his strength in God. “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee” (Psalm 84:5). It is someone who fears God and deliberately chooses to follow His paths. “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways” (Psalm 128:1, also 112:1 and 119:1). It is someone who seeks to do right. “Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times” (Psalm 106:3).

I dare say that every one of us can relate to those categories. We have chosen to follow God and have dedicated ourselves to walk in His paths. We don’t do it perfectly, but it is the desire of our hearts. We are all somewhere along that path of learning to trust in God as our refuge and draw our strength from Him.

Since we have pursued God and righteousness, it would then seem logical to expect the blessing of God, right? But have you ever found yourself thinking, “This doesn’t feel like blessing to me”? Perhaps in a time of great disappointment, intense trial, prolonged difficulty, or seeming fruitlessness, have you failed to perceive God’s blessing?

When I find myself thinking such thoughts, I try to remind myself, “Just because something doesn’t FEEL true doesn’t mean it ISN’T true.” If God said it, it IS true! So either I’m not perceiving something properly, or I don’t fully understand. If my feelings or even experience seems in conflict with God’s truth, then obviously I am missing something.

Sometimes my realization that I don’t fully understand leads me to pursue greater understanding. I know that I won’t always be able to understand things that God has reserved for Himself, but I also know that God’s Word is able to illuminate and provided increased understanding. If I have a question, God’s Word is the right place to go for answers. In this particular case, it led me to examine the Psalms for what it means to be blessed by God.

One thing I realized from the start is that we humans tend to evaluate blessing based on circumstances. Our inclination is to think of blessing as money in the bank, food on the table, family and friends around us, reasonably good health, and a flourishing ministry. Such material or visible manifestations are not always what God primarily thinks of when He considers blessing. Those things are often part of God’s blessing, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. The vast majority of God’s blessings are like the massive remainder of the iceberg that lies unseen beneath the water.

I went through the Psalms, specifically looking for insights about God’s blessings. For the most part, I tried to identify things that God declares as true or demonstrates as true, as opposed to something that a psalmist might be praying for or wishing for. Knowing that circumstances change, and that sometimes God’s plan is for adverse circumstances for a time, I tried to identify blessings that are independent of circumstances.

Another eye-opener is that sometimes the blessing of God becomes clear when we realize what it is like to be outside God’s blessing. In other words, the things that God says about the wicked provide a sharp contrast that highlight how truly blessed believers are.

For the next few months, I hope to share with you the fruit of this study. Even if you are not in a difficult time or are not wondering where God’s blessing is, I believe it will be very encouraging to review these realities about the immense blessing of God that He does show to His children.

May God’s blessing be on you in many ways this week!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

04162022 God of Compassion

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of compassion. As people, it is sometimes difficult to have compassion on those we view as “beneath” us, but God has tremendous compassion on us, even though we are infinitely beneath Him.

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion” (Psalm 86:15). The idea of tender, fatherly compassion is expressed in these familiar verses. “Like as a father pitieth [has compassion on] his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).

God has compassion on us because He knows how frail we are. He is the One who made us, and He knows our weak frame made of dust. “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).

God knows the weakness of all people, but He is also aware that in many ways, women are weaker than men. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel” (1 Peter 3:7). Again, God knows exactly how He has made us, and His compassion corresponds to His knowledge.

Not only does God have compassion on us because we are weak humans, and further because we are weak women, but His compassion also takes into account the trials in life that further compound our weakness. Whether that be a physical illness or some other kind of pressure, we stumble beneath the burdens. But God knows every detail of the additional struggles that we face. “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me” (Psalm 142:3).

Because God knows the difficulty of our path, He responds with compassion. Can you not hear His compassionate tone as He speaks to Satan regarding Job? “Although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause” (Job 2:3). In fact, regarding Job, we later read, “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful [compassionate], and of tender mercy” (James 5:11). God’s heart is filled with compassion through the entire trial, and the evidence of His compassion will clearly emerge in the end.

How can God have such understanding compassion? In part, it is because Jesus learned compassion through His own suffering. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Because we have such a compassionate God, we can have all confidence to come to Him when we are weak and needy. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We can cry out to Him as many did to Jesus. “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us” (Matthew 9:27). Our words can be similar: “Lord, have mercy on me. Oh, God, show compassion. Dear Father, take heed to my pitiful situation.”

We are so weak, and it is a great comfort to have a God who is so strong and who looks on us with loving and understanding compassion. He is good to help and support us in our weakness. Thank You, Father, for Your great compassion.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

God's Comforts

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of Comfort. God has ways of comforting us even in situations where comfort seems elusive and when the efforts of others fall short.

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).

How our thoughts can struggle! How they can proliferate and multiply! It is so easy for unwanted thoughts to take over our minds and really overwhelm us. The thoughts referred to here are troubled thoughts, thoughts that call out for comfort.

Even when our thoughts are troubled, and even when those troubled thoughts are measured in multitudes, God is able to comfort. He can transform the mind, leading to a complete change in the soul – from trouble to delight.

How does God do this? What are His methods? Sometimes it is simply abundant grace. Sometimes it is peace that passes understanding. God is able to accomplish this by ministering to our spirits in an almost inexplicable way – something we really can’t define.

More often, however, I believe God gives comfort through specific tools, through specific truths from His Word. “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:50). “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights” (Psalm 119:143).

It is in replacing our troubled thoughts with God’s truth that we find comfort. We might think of this as a toolbox or a library from which we can withdraw an appropriate verse for the current situation. We have many of these stored in our memory banks, many with which we are very familiar. The comfort comes when we recall these truths in the time of need.

We all have our favorites. Here are a few of mine. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). That’s one of God’s comforts. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). That’s a great comfort. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). More comfort. “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). More comfort. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10). More comfort.

This list could continue on and on. God has given us so many comforts in His Word to help us when our troubled thoughts multiply. May He bring the right comforts readily to your mind for the troubles you face this week. May He quiet and stabilize your struggling thoughts.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

04022022 One Life

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our wonderful Savior. Forgive me if I vary from my normal content, but I just returned from watching the processional of a fallen police officer as his body was returned from the hospital where he was pronounced dead to our city where he died in the line of duty on March 31st. Through these past days and again as I waited for the processional, I have thought on many things.

First thought. As we waited for over an hour alongside the highway, people's eyes were fixed down the road to the east as far as they could see. People were waiting and searching and looking for the first glimpse of the procession's arrival. I was reminded of the diligent waiting and searching and looking for the return of our Savior. It could be today. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Second thought. The sunshine made it a tolerable day, but there was a chilly breeze blowing. Perhaps it was inconvenient to wait as I did for an hour and a half. But my wait in the somewhat chilly air was nothing compared to what this officer did. He served for 40 years before giving his life in the service of our community. What sacrifice is it really to wait a short time in his honor? Likewise, our lives on this earth can be filled with inconvenience, trouble, and trial. But what is that in comparison with what Jesus did for us? Ought we not to gladly serve Him in gratitude for His work on our behalf? Even the most that we ever do falls far short of matching what He has done. Any sacrifice that we make or inconvenience that we suffer is insignificant in comparison.

Third thought. Lieutenant Lebo gave his life for others. Police officers often serve in a thankless job, even suffering ridicule while they sacrifice, usually with the best of intentions. Jesus gave His life for others. He is also not thanked as much as He should be and is often mocked and ridiculed, although His heart was full of the purest love ever.

Fourth thought. Lieutenant Lebo is the first officer killed in the line of duty in our city since 1903, but he is one of many, many officers who have given their lives through the years and around the world. Their lives and their service make a difference, but the job of law enforcement in this sinful world never ends, and more will die. Jesus accomplished something through His death. He was the sacrifice that completed redemption once for all. He accomplished an unmatched deed with no need for further sacrifice.

Fifth thought. One life can make a difference. This officer's life certainly did. Jesus’ life did like no other life ever has. He calls each of us with our lives to make a difference. It is not up to us how to do that. It is not up to us how long we get to do that. It is not even up to us to determine our own effectiveness. It is up to us to be faithful. When we give ourselves as Romans 12:1 exhorts, God uses us as He deems best.

Well, those are some of my musings. I could have added some Bible verses, but I’m sure that your minds have gone to some of the verses that correspond with these thoughts. I trust that something in this will have stirred your heart in some way as you continue to faithfully serve our Savior. God bless.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA