Learning from Job
Remember Job from the Bible? Job was a prosperous farmer living in the land of Uz. He had thousands of sheep, camels, and other livestock, a large family, and many servants—and Job lost everything. He lost his children, his position in the community, and his possessions even though he was an upright man whom God loved. Besides losing his loved ones and his reputation, Job developed sores over his whole body that were so horrible that he wanted to die.
Job was furious about his predicament. So indignant was he about the circumstances that God had allowed, Job self-righteously proclaimed:
Let God weigh me in honest scales,
and he will know that I am blameless.
Job 31:6
In other words, “What the heck did I do to deserve this, God?”
Maybe you can sympathize with Job. In fact, you may be terrified and/or furious at God about the road before you. After all, what did you do to deserve this?
Job continued:
Oh, that I had someone to hear me!
I sign now my defense–let the Almighty answer me;
let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
Surely, I would wear it on my shoulder,
I would put it on like a crown.
I would give him an account of my every step.
Job 31:35-37
So why does God allow us to suffer? We may not get a satisfactory answer while we’re here on earth, but we need to have the courage to still trust God. If you’re having doubts about God’s capabilities, take a moment and listen to what God said to a self-righteous Job:
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?…
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?…
Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place…
Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons
Or lead out the Bear with its cubs?…
Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?”
Job 38:4-5, 12, 32, 35
Humbling words from our heavenly Father! God is simply, yet powerfully pointing out who Job isn’t and who God is. Nothing—absolutely nothing—is impossible with God! His tool collection is unlimited and His power, unmatched! As these questions show, nobody thinks bigger than the Lord. Have you ever thought about any of these three issues God raised with Job? You may question a God you cannot see, but He speaks with His authority and from an eternal, all-knowing perspective.
The majesty and power of God’s inquiries shook Job to the core:
How can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Job 40:4
Challenge yourself to put aside your hurt, anger, and fear and to trust God with your life. He can save you. In my case, the Creator of all things blessed me with powerful and comforting dreams that enabled me to face my fears, trust in His strength, and rest in His peace. He also blessed me with doctors, clinicians, technology, testing, and medicines to diagnose my cancer and treat it.
But what about a cure? you may ask. Will God cure me?
You can debate the answer to this question however you like, but from my perspective, that really isn’t the main issue. The main issue is Will you crumble under your fear of cancer, will you tough it out on your own, or will you turn to the One who created you and choose to trust in Him?
It’s puzzling to me—and it can be tragic—that people try to do life without God, yet I understand it because I do the same thing! Sometimes, for instance, I let myself think that God is either distant or uninterested in my situation. I use this rationale to justify making decisions without asking God for His input or guidance. Other times I get too comfortable with the peace and success that God has blessed me with. Then I start to believe that I myself am the reason for my success and that I can handle life on my own. What an utterly misguided and false belief!
My cancer, however, reminded me that not only am I unable to manage the circumstances and situations in my life, but I am also completely incapable of controlling whatever is going on inside my own body. Cancer reminded me of how truly weak I am, yet it gave me opportunity after opportunity to see how truly strong and good God is. What a blessing our Lord is in times of trouble! He faithfully responds whenever we call on Him!
Quite simply, choosing to accept the reality of God’s strength, power, and love—choosing to trust in His sovereignty over your life and your disease—is the first serious step a person diagnosed with cancer or any life-threatening illness can take toward winning the battle.
This is an excerpt from Trusting God with Cancer, by Rob Raban.
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