I can tell if it’s good news the moment my oncologist walks through the door. Having battled cancer three times now, it’s easy to read him. When he’s all businesslike and somber, I know the results aren’t pretty.
During a recent appointment, following many rounds of radiation therapy for a mass in my abdomen, he came bounding through the door of the consultation room and bellowed, “The scans look good!”
Each time I hear good news, I praise God. But I’ve also sometimes wondered, Why me? Why weren’t others healed?
My best friend in high school died of cancer when I was just fifteen. Countless other people I’ve known have perished from the disease. Why not me?
Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 helps answer my question. She exclaimed, “The Lord gives both death and life; He brings some down to the grave but raises others” (v.6). She praised God for His sovereign ways. “All the earth is the Lord’s, and He has set the world in order” (v.8). She praised Him for being Lord of all.
Her words flowed from a heart that had been revived. For years, she longed to have a child of her own (1:5). Her husband, Elkanah, had another wife who “had children, but Hannah did not” (v.2).
Hannah prayed to God out of deep anguish and He heard her plea (v.19). God blessed her with a boy, Samuel. Later, she brought him to the Tabernacle to serve God “his whole life” (v.28). She worshiped the Sovereign One as she left Samuel to serve Him.
God hears our cries when we face difficulties. Then He reveals His will based in His good pleasure. We can respond in faith by praising Him for who He is-regardless of the outcome (Job 1:20-22).
It’s okay to wonder “why” sometimes. But we can trust God’s sovereign, loving hand all the time.
More:
I will praise Your mighty deeds, O Sovereign
Lord. I will tell everyone that You alone are just (Psalm 71:16).
Next:
How is God’s sovereignty an encouragement to you? What happens when you praise God after hearing bad news?
corrynpierini on April 24, 2009 at 8:34 am
Thank you…the “businesslike and somber” appointment just happened to my husband and me…again. My thoughts are: get behind us, Satan…no matter what happens, we will not deny the Greatness of our God over anything this dark world throws at us. Is it hard being the sole provider? Absolutely, but thanks to God it provides us the insurance to keep seeking appropriate medical care. Is it challenging to come home every day from a stressful management position to be a caregiver? Yes… but I make it a decision every day to thank God for this dear man who has given me so much. Thanks for letting me share. I have sought and God has answered my prayer for a spiritually encouraging site and communication while needing to stay at home as much as possible.
tom felten on April 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Corrynpierini, your comments truly inspire me. Like Job, you refuse to curse God. You thank Him for His provision instead. Wow . . .
I’m so sorry your recent news wasn’t better. Having battled cancer three times myself so far, my heart goes out to you. And I’ve often told my wife, Lynn, that she has the tougher cross to bear. For it is obvious that you deeply love your husband and simply desire to have him well again. My prayers are with you, that God would heal your husband and that your dual role of caring for him and being the sole provider will not be overwhelming. I’m so grateful that God’s grace is there for you (2 Corinthians 12:9). May you experience it in abundance today!
jamiesreid on April 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Tom,
Thank you very much for this message that God has delivered through you. I am inspired by your faith and love for the Lord. When I saw the title ‘why me’ I thought the blog would be about when we complain that something bad has happened to us but it was not that. It was the result of a humbled heart that instead says wow, why me for such awesome grace. The message was very helpful to me another way as I have been struggling with the whole idea of why all men wont give their heart to the Lord. But this hammered the point home that I was focusing on the wrong thing. We know that God is good and faithful and we did not deserve His grace but He has given it to us freely – and this must be our focus resulting in worship rather than fretting.
joyful on May 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Thank you. You make me reliased that i need to give thank no matter what situation i’m going or am facing it now.
beauchamp on August 24, 2009 at 10:30 am
On Saturday 8/22 I went to a fellowship in L.I. and before I went to this fellowship the Lord spoke to my heart and told me you must go to this fellowship. Before leaving I was told not to leave because they were going to pray for me. My wife and I was placed in the center of the prayer circle and 50 brothers and sisters prayed for my healing. I was told believe because you are healed. I lived with a disease that has no cure and I know that my God is greater. I would encourage you to continue taking treatment and I will encourage you not to limit God in the healing that He has for you. God is Greater than any health issue we may be facing, believe that you are healed and stand on Gods promises. Be Blessed