Until the Time

By Elizabeth Hodges

“Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him” (Psalm 105:16-19).

Psalm 105 is one of two hymns praising God’s work in history to fulfill His mission through times of trouble and times of deliverance. God is sovereign over all people as He acts to fulfill His mission. He provides for our needs and invites us to join Him, just as He did Joseph.

Verse 19 begins until the time that His word came to pass. Time is from the Hebrew word êth meaning a set time, the right time. The Greek equivalent is kairos, meaning a time of opportunity. This does not imply convenience, but necessity of the task at hand. The Hebrew translation for word is imrâh—utterance, speech, or song. Word is found 36 times in the Old Testament (26 in Psalms; 19 in Psalm 119 alone) and paints the multi-colored picture told in God’s Word. Tried originates from the Hebrew word tsâraph and means to refine, purge by fire, test, or prove. This was the word used when Gideon’s army was whittled down from 10,000 to 300.

My study Bible notes human beings cannot always identify good or bad, fair or unfair, because we cannot see what God sees. Sometimes, what we see as “bad” may actually be from God and designed for our good.

Consider Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, he served time in prison after a false accusation by Potiphar’s wife. After interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants, he was forgotten for several years. Bad? Unfair? Yes, but according to this verse, these things were also part of God’s good plan to save Joseph, his family and descendants, and the nations of both Israel and Egypt. Like Joseph, our moral character is purged through suffering.

The Psalms offer 11 imperatives/commands directed to God’s people regarding praise: give thanks, call upon His name, make known, sing, talk, remember, seek, glory in His holy name, rejoice, praise, and observe His statutes. Why praise? Because of what God had done in the past. This habit of looking back at God’s gracious acts stirs up joy for today and new hope for tomorrow because He knows best. We serve a faithful, promise-keeping God, and this should call us to praise.

This is true of God’s faithfulness to WNAC. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the opportunity to meet our international sisters. Their vibrant faith through tribulation is a challenge to me. Their selfless giving reminds me of the subtle impact of American consumerism on our lives as believers. These women do so much with so little.

Looking Back

In 2011-2012, WNAC helped upgrade the kitchen and cook’s quarters at Chame Seminary in Panama, and Provision Closet items continue to be used. Ceiling fans improved ventilation. An industrial dishwashing sink and a deep sink for vegetable preparation eased time constraints on our sisters.

Fast-forward to 2018 when WNAC helped with the Panamanian Ladies’ Retreat. Keila Delgado (AR) spoke, and we provided gift bag items. Texas and Ohio ladies paid for 40 non-believers to attend the retreat. Only 13 came, but seven accepted Christ! The Panamanian leadership said, “We will take the retreat to them!” Two evangelistic days were planned; six accepted Christ the first day, and we continue to pray for the other 27 to respond to Christ.

WNAC also enjoyed the opportunity to assist with a Panamanian youth camp. Missouri, Arkansas, and Cumberland District (TN) WAC groups raised the money for 56 non-believing teens. Fifty went to camp; 22 accepted Christ! Again, we pray for the other 28 to respond to the gospel.
In 2012, WNAC upgraded the Abidjan Guest House (Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa) used by all mission teams serving our Ivorian brothers and sisters. Upgrades included appliances, a freezer, linens and towels, and replenished kitchen items.

In 2013, WNAC underwrote renovations of the bathrooms at the Bible Institute in Altimira, Mexico. Before this project, the men shared one outhouse while women shared a single bathroom with a sink and exposed showerhead. It is hard to believe their national convention meets on this campus with 900-plus attending. Today, they enjoy multiple facilities for men and women.

In 2014, WNAC provided training retreats for Central Asian women in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Fifty women’s ministry leaders attended each retreat, a first for them. What a blessing to share with these sisters, hear their stories, and encourage them in ministry.

In 2015, WNAC began the laundry room project at Cedars of Lebanon Seminary. We arrived for the 2017 Cuban ladies’ retreat to a completed project. Students are grateful not to travel miles to do laundry. WNAC provided funding for 400 Cuban ladies to attend the retreat, and 357 attended despite a fuel shortage. This was their first retreat in a decade. While there, we visited several churches and met Miss Virginia (aged 99), who led the women’s ministry while many pastors were imprisoned under Castro’s regime. These ladies kept churches open by meeting for prayer, Bible study, and worship.

In 2016, WNAC sponsored a retreat for our sisters in Côte d’Ivoire. Held at a Catholic retreat center (more like a rustic youth camp to us) during dry season, many of the ladies received water every fifth day. At one point, the seminars were held on the beach. Many of the Ivorian women had never seen so much water. Familiar Bible stories suddenly came to life: “Ah, Moses and the Red Sea!” and “Jonah and the big fish!”

These Ivorian sisters were involved in several community outreach events. We visited the maternity ward of the hospital to encourage the patients, and girls from a local orphanage were brought to the retreat center for afternoon activities similar to American VBS.

The Ivorian ladies are building a Women’s Center to minister to young ladies who come into the city for education. A conference building will allow for large group meetings for the Ivorian Association of Free Will Baptists. Each lady owns a “Jesus box” to collect money for this project. WNAC has contributed over $5,000 with additional funds being given by various state WACs. This year, FWB Foundation awarded the Ivorian ladies a $50,000 grant to help them complete the center.

In both 2016 an 2017, Oklahoma women raised money to fund a Uruguayan ladies’ retreat. WNAC assisted with gift bags and extras needed by our missionaries. This is an outreach opportunity as well as a time of fellowship for these sisters.

This year, WNAC sponsored the Bulgarian ladies’ retreat. Two West Virginia officers attended and were part of the teaching team. Thirty-five women attended the retreat, including seven unbelievers. Since the retreat, two attended church. We are praying for their salvation.

A Challenge for the Future

These international sisters persevere and thrive. What a challenge to those of us who are blessed to live in America. But have we become conditioned to our comforts? Paul challenges us much like the psalmist: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted [or tested] above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Paul spoke from experience. When God tests us, it is to prove or refine us. When Satan tempts us, it is to cause us to fall or stumble. God is faithful. We must stay focused on Him. May He find us faithful until the time He returns or calls us home…even when plans change.

About the Writer: Elizabeth Hodges is director of Women Nationally Active for Christ. Learn more: wnac.org.