September 6th, 2005

.se3ker.

New Member
[Zophar advised Job], "You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by."

-Job 11:16 (NIV)

I was in the midst of trouble -- facing cancer and all its uncertainties: Was the surgery successful? Will the cancer come back? How will my family cope if I die? I woke up with such thoughts every morning and climbed into bed with them every night. The dark cloud of cancer surrounded me even though I tried to listen to the promises of God. When I read Zophar's words in Job quoted above, it seemed impossible that my trouble would ever recede into the background like "waters gone by." But I stood on tiptoe in faith, reaching out timidly and asking God to make this improbable promise true for me.

Years later, I rediscovered this passage. As I read the words aloud, my spirit echoed back, "Yes! It's true!" With surprise and joy, I recognized that cancer no longer dominates my thoughts and daily activities. I live my life free of its grip. Of course, having cancer changed me in many ways -- mostly for good -- but I was amazed to see that my trouble had flowed past, receding into a memory. The Lord had made this verse, once beyond my grasp, now part of my everyday reality.

Marion Speicher Brown (South Carolina, U.S.A.)
Prayer:
Thank you, God of all comfort, that your word is true even when it is beyond our grasp. Enlarge our faith to believe more and more of your promises. Amen.
 
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