A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford
All of her friends were upset when our dear friend told us she’d been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and faced immediate surgery. She’s old (by our reckoning), lives alone, has rather meager resources (again, by our reckoning), and has spent her whole life serving the Lord Jesus quietly and effectively.
One of our friends cried when she heard the news. “Why would God give an 83-year-old woman like her cancer?” Usually we’re “too good a Christian” to question God out loud like that, but we were all devastated. What was God thinking? Why couldn’t the dear woman spend her last days in peace and comfort? The old platitudes leapt to mind, but they were like radio static. Why cancer?
“If God loves us,”—and we know He does, because He gave us His only Son—
— And if He really cares for our welfare—and His Word says He certainly does—
— And if He has infinite power to do whatever He wills—and He proves He does—
— And if He has unmeasured wisdom to know what is best for us—and He does—
then why this frightening diagnosis for such a faithful Christian?
Why?
—Because God does passionately love her—
—And because He deeply cares about every aspect of her life—
—And because He is incredibly strong—
—And because He is infinitely wise—
—she was given a diagnosis of aggressive cancer.
These are not platitudes. They are the Word of God engraved in stone from eternity. Let them be engraved on your heart too.
Listen to the LORD who created you,
O Israel, the One who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . .
Because you are precious to me,
You are honored, and I love you.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:1-5
I’ve lived longer than the usual “three-score and ten” years. I have experienced times of devastating loss and conflict. But the memories of those times are most precious to me because God’s dear presence surrounded me in ways I’d never have experienced on an ordinary day. They are the precious, treasured highlights of my life. How much better it is to experience my Heavenly Father’s direct intervention of grace and love when I needed Him most desperately than never to experience trouble, to never realize how much I needed Him!
Oh, yes, about my 83-year-old friend: God proved Himself to be the Almighty God He’d promised her. Surgery over. Healed well. Prognosis great. That 83-year-old woman is basking in the warmth of loving friends and resting in the embrace of a faithful, loving God.