TOO WEAK FOR BATTLE

     I am always struck by how often I hear, "She or he is battling cancer." And every time I hear it, I think to myself, I am awed by people who can do that. How inadequate I really feel to battle something as big as the big C. I simply don't have the inner strength and energy for it. That war puts wrinkles and white hair where they shouldn't be. It saps my well-being and my quality of life. Battling it alone writes fear all over my face and pours panic in my gut. The battle is simply too much for me. That is my truth.
     But I am grateful to be able to say that I don't have to. My God has made it clear that my battles are His. And I have always loved the story in 2 Chronicles 20 which taught me this.
     Many of you know this well-loved story. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was informed that the vast armies of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir were approaching to "make war" on the Judean king and his people. The Bible tells us that he asked the people of Judah to come together to seek the Lord. 
     The king cries out to God, asking God to remember His promise to drive out all inhabitants of the promised land. "If calamity comes upon us, we will sit in your presence and you will hear us and save us. But now men from Ammon, Moab and Seir are coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Oh, our God, will not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU." 
     Then God spoke to the gathered crowd through a man named Jahaziel. In verse 15, Jahaziel says, "Listen, King Jeohoshaphat, and all you who live in Judah and Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S! YOU will NOT have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Go out to face [the enemy] tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.'"
     Jehoshaphat and his people bowed down before the Lord and praised him.
     The next morning as they left for battle, some of the men went out at the head of the army singing and praising God saying:
                     "Give thanks to the Lord,
                     For His love endures forever."
     And if you remember the story, you know the amazing victory they claimed. The armies of the 3 enemies slaughtered and annihilated each other. The battle, indeed, belonged to the Lord. He did it all. The Judean army only had to take their positions, believe that God's promises would be kept, and wait for the armies to rise up against each other.
     My enemy has a name: stage 4 lung cancer. Too big for me. Too strong for me. A battle I cannot fight because it would overwhelm me. But praise Jesus, I don't have to. My Father, my Healer, my Redeemer, battles for me. My eyes are upon Him, I have taken up my position......that of unwavering faith in His promises to continue to heal me......and I wait for my full deliverance.


     Praise to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever, and His love is everlasting.