06272026 Waiting

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God with impeccable timing. God is never too fast or too slow, never too early or too late, never rushed or frantic, never lethargically laid-back. He does everything at just the right time.

I recently read a verse that I know has impacted me before, but I hadn’t thought about it in quite a while, so when I read it again, it captured my attention.

The passage is talking about God’s protection and leading of the nation of Israel in the wilderness. As a manifestation of His presence with them, there was a pillar of fire (or perhaps a glowing cloud that looked similar to fire) that remained over the tabernacle at night. During the day a cloud remained over the tabernacle. (Numbers 9:15-16)

This cloud was more than just a reminder of God’s presence. It was a primary method that He guided them. When the cloud moved, the nation packed up and followed it. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. When it remained for a length of time, they rested. (Numbers 9:17-19,23)

The people never knew what the timing was going to be. Sometimes the cloud rested for a few days, so they rested for a few days. Sometimes the cloud lifted in the morning. Sometimes it lifted in the middle of the day, and sometimes in the middle of the night. They always had to be ready to move quickly whenever God indicated that. (Numbers 9:20-21)

The people also always had to be willing to rest – to wait – as long as God designed. “Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed” (Numbers 9:22)

Wow. That is so powerful as it applies to our practical life as believers! There are times that God asks us to wait for two days. There are times when He asks us to wait for a month. There are times that He asks us to wait for an entire year! (or even longer). We are poised and ready to move at a moment’s notice, maybe even anxiously straining at the bit. But He asks us to wait.

That waiting might be something personal, like health or finances or a relationship. It might have to do with family – children, grandchildren, parents. It might have to do with ministry – closed doors, lack of fruit, delayed opportunities. Whatever the situation, and whatever the amount of time, we can be confident that God will “move the cloud” at the precise time that He intends.

Until then, we can rest. Interesting word choice – “rest.” That is precisely the word God used in verse 18. As I understand it, “they rested in their tents” (v. 18,23) is the same Hebrew word as “pitched their tents” (v. 17) and “abode in their tents” (v. 20,22). It isn’t quite the idea of vacation or leisure that we might be hoping for; it is more the idea of a deliberate commitment. They took specific actions that helped them to settle in, but that settling in was always into temporary homes.

What a challenge – to be peacefully and deliberately “at home” as much as is possible, while knowing that the “home” is designed to be picked up and moved at God’s command – and in His timing. May God give you the grace and patience to do just that.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

06202026 Enemies

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our unconquerable Defender. No one can defeat God. We humans are less competent. There are enemies in this world, and we do face them, and they can be daunting.

In the past months, I have been looking at verses corresponding to the current date. This week as I looked at 6:16 verses, I realized how many of them have to do with enemies. Will you humor me in this totally unconventional Bible study?

One truth is that we can be our own enemies when we resist God and His plan. The Israelites did this more than once, and Moses reminds them of one example. “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah” (Deuteronomy). Paul repeatedly warned his readers of the danger or embracing the enemy – of choosing and clinging to the very things that they should be avoiding and opposing. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans). “What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh” (I Corinthians). “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (II Corinthians). This type of association is a deliberate choice of what God has warned us against, sometimes an obstinate rebellion against what is best for us. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah).

A sad reality about enemies is that they can rise up from the people that we least expect. This happened to David with one of his wives. “And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart” (II Samuel). It also happened to our Savior. “And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor” (Luke).

The Bible records many stories of God’s deliverance from enemies. God gave victory to Israel at Jericho. “And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city” (Joshua). God gave victory to Gideon. “And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man” (Judges). In the rebuilding of the temple, God gave victory over those who opposed. “And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy” (Ezra). He did the same in the rebuilding of the wall. “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah). God gave victory to the disciples when they faced a life-threatening storm at sea. “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea” (John). These stories remind us that the victory comes from God.

God is not to be trifled with, and many enemies of God have been bowed before Him and have even stood in absolute dread of Him. “And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day” (I Samuel). “But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead” (Mark). “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of God” (Revelation).

Some people’s eyes have been opened to see in a special way the remarkable ability of God to defeat His enemies. One of the outstanding examples is when Elisha and his servant were surrounded by a Syrian army. The enemy was fierce, but Elisha knew they were no match for God and His army. “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings). Even the pagan king Darius realized that God could not be defeated. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel).

God gives us all that we need to face our enemies. Among His provision is our faith in the Word of God. Faith in the truth can send the enemies fleeing and can slash them to pieces. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians). Whether your current battle is against Satan and spiritual forces, against people who oppose God’s work, or even against yourself, may God give you the victory through His power and through His Word. There are no enemies too strong for God.

Thanks to those who prayed and expressed concern regarding my recent surgery. I am gradually improving. In the past few days in particular, I am starting to feel more back to normal and am optimistic about the week ahead.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

06132026 Great Physician

Dear Missionary Lady, 

Greetings in the name of the Great Physician.

“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:3). God does not choose to heal all illnesses in this lifetime, as sometimes disease is what fits His purposes for us, but He does heal us over and over again. Ultimately, He will heal all disease for us when we reach our beloved Home where there will be no more pain, no more sickness, and no more death.

I can’t help but wonder if the above verse is focused more on the subject (God) than on the result (healing). The psalm is sharing all the things our great God does that no one else can do. He is the One who gives great benefits, which include healing, as well as forgiving, redeeming, blessing, renewing, showing grace and mercy, and so much more. These actions are God-things, and when we are healed, it is God who does it.

This healing is often physical, but more important is God’s spiritual healing. “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Thank God for healing each of us from our sin-sick souls and also for healing those whom God has brought through your various ministries. As with physical healing, when it comes to spiritual healing, it is God who does it.

I am home healing today after surgery yesterday. I’m thankful for God’s guidance and peace through the process and for the anticipation of improved health going forward. I’m still taking it pretty easy, and I get a two-week “vacation” from work, but I am very thankful for how much better I am feeling today over yesterday. God is good, and He takes care of us.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

06072026 Divine Stability

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who stabilizes us. He is our Rock and our Strength.

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

I think this verse speaks of God’s stabilization on two levels. The first is in our inner man. God has loved us. He has provided eternal comfort. He can continue to comfort our hearts. Internally, we can be stabilized as we remember what God has already done and as we rest in that continuing love and comfort.

The second is in the practical. That same God who loves us and stabilizes us internally also establishes us in the works that we are doing for Him. He strengthens and upholds us in our words and deeds. If we are trying to do and say what God wants us to do and say, we can be comforted in knowing that He is the one who helps us to do and say it.

Thank God that He upholds us in these ways so that we can have any hope of being who He wants us to be and doing what He has asked us to do. May you walk forward this week with His help.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA