Note from Randy: Here is another gem from Nanci’s journal she kept during her cancer years. She wrote this while anticipating some bad news about her health, and about our dog, Maggie.
When someone survives an accident or gets a negative biopsy report, we sigh in relief and say, “God is good.” We’re right to give heartfelt thanks. But God remains just as good if the person dies or the biopsy report brings bad news. God is good even when we can’t see it.
Both Scripture and human experience testify to the surprising good God can bring out of evil and suffering. God calls upon us to trust Him, that He will work all evil and suffering in our lives for good. We can learn to trust God in the worst of circumstances, even for what we cannot currently see—indeed, that is the very nature of biblical faith (see Hebrews 11:8, 13, 27, 32–39).
As Nanci reminds us, God’s purposes will prevail in our lives, whatever we face.
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in Yahweh” (Psalm 112:7).
This morning, I absolutely marvel at the mercy of my God for me in placing this verse and the following commentary of Spurgeon in my devotional book on this day.
In an hour and a half, I am taking Maggie to the vet to check on a lump she has on her spine. I may get some bad news about my dog. [Note from Randy: It was indeed bad news; Maggie was diagnosed with a terminal cancer.] And later today I will receive news from the tumor board about their assessment of my condition and their recommendation for my treatment. I could get some very bad news about my prognosis or the need for harsh and difficult treatments.
What is bad news? How can I not be afraid of it? Trust in Yahweh is yielding to His plan, His news. Whatever news I get today—though it may be “bad”—is not something to be feared if my heart is firmly trusting in God.
God causes all things—even “bad news”—to work together for my good because I love Him and am called by His purpose.
God’s purpose will prevail. God works with good news as well as bad news.
He is with me in all things—“good” and “bad.”
Spurgeon wrote:
Suspense is dreadful…Faith is the cure for this condition of sadness. The Lord by his Spirit settles the mind in holy tranquility, and all fear is gone for the future as well as for the present. The firmness of heart of which the psalmist speaks is to be diligently sought.
It is not believing this or that promise of the Lord, but the general condition of unstinting trust in our God. It is the confidence which we have that he himself will not harm us, nor will he let anyone else harm us. This constant confidence meets the unknown things of life as well as the known things. Let tomorrow be what it may, our God is the God of tomorrow. Whatever events may have happened, which to us are unknown, our Lord is God of the unknown as well as the known. We are determined to trust the Lord, come what may. If the very worst should happen, our God is still the greatest and best, therefore we will not fear…The Lord lives, and what can his children fear? —Charles Spurgeon (Faith’s Checkbook devotion for February 27)
I would not trade my cancer journey for anything because of the growth in my love, adoration, and trust in my God.
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