Faith, Prayer, and God's Sovereignty

Well, it was my intention to give a quick update. You will see that I have failed miserably! If you have time . . .

Linda is doing much better this week, though today has been a bit difficult. She resumed a relatively small dose of steroids on Sunday night - that seems to be helping. That would indicate that some swelling returned in her brain, which is not good, but the fact that a small dose of steroids made such a dramatic difference is encouraging. If the tumor goes away the swelling will go away. That's what all of us (including all of you) are praying for! If the tumor goes away and stays away on the basis of treatment, it will be a miracle. Since we have already witnessed a small miracle (with the tumor shrinking - albeit, only a little - in the first two months of treatment), we are hopeful that we will see the day when Linda gets up out of the wheelchair and cooks, clea . . . no, wait, I mean, goes skiing in Colorado, goes to a movie, etc! Just kidding. Even though the improvement Linda has made could be attributed to her treatment, the level of improvement we have seen is highly unusual - thus, we see God's hand.

So, that's the medical update. What we know and believe about God is more important, so here's what we believe:

> We are all born in sin, separated from God and already under the condemnation of God's wrath - John 3:16-36

> Jesus died for our sins, making eternal life available for all who believe - 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:9-10, 13

> Glorifying God in all circumstances is our greatest privilege and most important priority - Philippians 1:19-21

> We do not approach sickness as those who do not have the hope of eternal life - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (even though this refers to grieving over believers that have died, it is instructive in our approach to sickness)

> There is no question that heaven is better than this place! - John 14:1-3; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

> Nonetheless, God understands our drive and desire for life! - Philippians 2:25-27 (A future post will be dedicated to the multi-faced perspective on the end of life, as seen here and in Philippians 1:21)

> God answers prayer! - take your pick - it's all through Scripture!

> God encourages, and responds to, persistent prayer - Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8 (As always, be sure to read these parables in context)

> When God answers prayer, it is done in Jesus' name - in other words, according to Jesus' character and all that His name represents - and always for God's glory - John 14:12-14

> However God chooses to respond to our collective prayer for God to heal Linda, He is good and knows best - Isaiah 55 - the whole chapter, but especially verses 8-9

> Trusting God's character is more important than what He might do for us - Job 13:15a - although we must confess that most of Job's words (including the second part of this verse) belie his bold assertion in the first part of this verse!

God's will (a recent post) is complex. Understanding God's ways - well, that's beyond us, as Isaiah 55 tells us. There is much we do know (Deuteronomy 29:29) and we can approach God with confidence on the basis of what we know (Hebrews 4:16) in our time of need. We are bombarding God's throne! Keep praying with us!

So, the conclusion is that we can pray - and pray believing - that God will heal Linda. When He does, we will all give glory only to God! Should He, in His wisdom, choose not to heal, we will glorify Him, nonetheless, trusting His wisdom and ways.

I need to say something that I hope you will understand. I want to say it loud and clear: An acknowledgment that God is sovereign and may choose not to heal Linda is not a concession to her imminent demise, nor does it constitute a lack of faith! PLEASE do not think I have no confidence in God's ability or willingness to heal. I feel more hopeful every day, in fact, that He will heal her! But, think of the damage we can do as believers when we automatically assume that God will do just as we desire - and even pray - that He do. If we state that we KNOW God will heal, then what of those who are reading this blog right now who are near death, those whom God has chosen not to heal?

I know that some of you are in that spot - it is fairly apparent that God has chosen not to heal you. You have prayed, yet God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, has chosen for you to meet Him in the very near future. Oh, my heart is with you! Please read all the verses above very carefully and also take comfort in the following words by A. W. Tozer: "In spite of tears and pain and death we believe that the God who made us all is infinitely wise and good. We rest in what God is. I believe that this alone is true faith. Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith." from, The Knowledge of the Holy.

I don't think the faith of believers will be shaken if this tumor takes its natural course, but there are those who don't know Jesus who are watching. Should God choose to heal Linda, they will know that there is a God in heaven! Should He choose not to heal her, they need to look at our response and know that there is a God in heaven. Who knows, some of us (including this writer) may not live long enough to see Linda healed! Life is uncertain - God's ways are much higher than ours - He is to be glorified, no matter what.

Nonetheless, KEEP PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE! I love my wife more every minute and cannot bear to think of life without her (again, the two sides of the believer's death). As I have just said, I am more and more hopeful that she will be healed and God will be glorified in that manner! We love all of you!