Dan, You Have Cancer: A Wanderer, a King, Some Singers and Me

I have been having trouble writing this next blog. I have many things to write about but just cannot seem to find the energy to sit and write it down. Lack of material? Not a chance. Lack of inspiration? Possibility. I have experienced a period of down time, low energy and the blahs. I feel like my ship has sailed into the Sargasso Sea and the winds have died.

I have spoken with a lot of people recently. Friends, family, nurses and doctors all tell me how good I look, how well I am doing and that they are glad to see me. My response to their comments is always, “It’s good to be seen!” Last night I realized what needs to be blogged.  I became inspired, to share exactly why acquaintances see what they see.

When Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of captivity from Egypt what did he do? He took them and headed to the Promised Land. Ah, but there is this thing called the Red Sea standing in their way. Unlike Noah, Moses was not given directions to build a boat. When he lifted his rod the Sea parted and Moses and his band of brick makers crossed on dry land. Upon reaching the other side the Israelites were scared when they saw the Egyptian army in hot pursuit and wanted to go back to Egypt. What did Moses have them do? He had them stand still and watch as God saved them. So did the Israelites escape or were they delivered? When you escape it is due to your actions. When you are delivered it is because of the actions of someone else, in this case God’s mighty act delivered Moses and his band of rock stackers.

Awhile later the wandering Israelites were forced to fight the Amalekites who were big, strong, fierce fighters and gunning for Moses and his followers. Moses won but was not part of the battle. What? Well, when the battle started Moses took his friends Aaron and Hur to the top of a hill. Where? How could they fight a battle from such a distant position? They did not fight with swords and shields but rather with prayer. Moses lifted his arms in prayer, sans rod, and the Israelites started to win the battle. When he lowered his arms the advantage on the battlefield returned to the Amalekites. In order to maintain the advantage and eventual victory on the battlefield Moses had Aaron and Hur hold his arms up. The Israelites beat the Amalekites not because of the battle in the valley but because of the battle on the hill.

As children growing up I always knew that if I were in trouble, if the bully in the neighborhood was beating the snot out of me, I could call for my father to come rescue me. This is exactly what Moses had done. The battle with the Amalekites was too big so Moses called upon his Heavenly Father to save him. If you doubt this, just how many Jews are building pyramids today?

Now let me introduce you to King Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat defeated the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites. These people were also large, strong, fierce fighters, mean as snakes. King Jehoshaphat had no battle plan, no strategy, and no way to defeat his enemies. He was scared knowing that they were coming to get him and his people. What did he do? The king asked God what to do.  He gathered his people and they went on a national fast. They told God that He was the king and whatever He wanted was OK with them. They really needed God’s help. They waited. The enemy was coming closer; Jehoshaphat stood and waited.

One of the king’s people, a guy named Jahaziel, told the king God said not to be afraid, worry or be discouraged that the battle was His not ours. Obviously these were men of prayer because when they heard God’s voice they recognized it.  So just how did the battle play out? How did King Jehoshaphat become victorious? They sang! They sang? Yes, they had the Levites lead them into battle singing. That's correct, the singing Levites led the warriors into battle singing. They sang and they sang. God set ambushes and when the king got to the battle the enemy was dead.  Bizarre! Who believes this stuff? Those with man-sized problems will laugh. Those with God size problems will pray.

What people see in me is that I have a God-sized problem. My story is a lot like these stories. When I was given a God-sized problem I prayed. I called out to my Father for help. I lifted my rod and God parted the waters of my mind so that I could find my footing on dry land. Then God closed those waters drowning any thoughts that I would have of defeat. Ann and my family held my arms up as the battle raged within me. Their support goes a long way in God’s plan to defeat the cancer within me. While I wait the army of prayer warriors in my life goes before me with their prayers, lifting their voices in praise, trust and great expectations of being answered, giving the battle to the Lord to defeat my enemy. What people see in me is what happens when I wait and God fights! 

What does God do for me when I am in a bind? He fights! He fights for me each and every day. He takes on my battle. My job in all this is to trust. My job is to wait.

Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you. (Exodus 14:14)

He is my defender; I will not be defeated. (Psalm 62:6)