Hebrews 2:18 TLB For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.
As my husband and I walk through this wilderness of cancer, I often find myself praying this, I hope my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me (Psalm 19:14 ICB). I pray this because I know my Good God is indeed my Rock and Redeemer for all things, in all times, with all people. I pray this because I also know the easier choices are complaining and criticizing while giving in to despair and going home in defeat. Yet my mind keeps trying to tell my heart that the simpler pathway in all of this is self-reliance and false bravado.
But, I also know that the straight pathway through all of this is seeking my Savior to receive faith for the now and the not-yet (see Proverbs 3:5-6). On that note, I remember hearing a Bible teacher once say this about how he would respond if he were facing death for his faith “I trust my God to give the grace necessary for that moment at that moment.” In other words, he couldn’t rely on himself to follow Christ anywhere on his faith. But he also had the faith that God would give him the strength to stay faithful even there in every second of following Christ (see Daniel 3:17 and Habakkuk 3:17).
That is my hope, too.
To be faithful in speech and supplication, thought, trial, and temptation, word and witness, hope and helping others, holy fear and following Christ. To always be faithful to my Good God because my Good God will always be faithful to me.
None of this is possible in my own strength.
None of this is impossible with Jesus as my strength (see Philippians 4:13).
Jesus chose suffering for me so that I might be rescued from suffering forever (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus’s choices displayed trusting faith in all ways in His life. My choices can do the same as I trust Him with my life. And the strength found in those truths can conquer fear and faithlessness, self-pity and selfishness, doubt and defeat, no matter the trial, test, or temptation.
Trusting Jesus in every choice can bring His strengthening joy for every challenge (see Nehemiah 8:10). I know I need every bit of joy He gives to strengthen me to walk His straight path in faith for the now and the not-yet. And I bet that also might be true for you today, no matter whatever wilderness you’re walking in faith.
Jesus is there with you and here with me.
Forever.
For those of you following our journey through the wilderness of cancer, here’s an update – pathology results show clear lymph nodes and margins (hallelujah and thanks be to our God!) and indicate referral for further treatment to help prevent recurrence. Thank you, friends, for your prayers and please keep on praying!
James 5:16b HCSB The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
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Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.
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