For about a month and a half I have suffered from a
significant increase in pain.
Providentially scans I had last week showed no return of the
cancer! Apparently the pain is a result of degeneration in several joints
and in the spine. I am very grateful to God that He still has use for me on this
earth!
During
this same period of time I was doing a word study of the word "hesed"
in the Bible; a word translated often as steadfast love or mercy. It is used over 200 times in the Bible,
usually referring to God's great love for His people. As I studied all the places the word is used I
was humbled thinking of God's great love for me. The thought that His steadfast love for me
endures forever and is higher than the heavens above touched my soul
deeply. As I reflected daily on His love
I started noticing great cloud formations. Each time I saw their magnificence I
was in awe of the fact that God's love for me went beyond what I could see in
the skies above! To this day, I
sometimes have to pull to the side of the road when driving to contemplate this
message. As I did this word study, and at the same time wondered if the cancer
had once again reared its ugly head, I wrote some personalization of several
passages in the Bible which I include below.
Prayer requests: Praise
God with me that this was not a return of the cancer. I also covet prayers as I seek to find ways
of relieving the pain without depending too much on medication. Also pray with me that God would glorify
Himself in me and use me well in this added time He allows me to remain on this
earth.
God is my refuge and my strength
A very present help in the time of trouble!
Though my body may fail me,
Though the cancer one day rise up against me,
Though pain should overwhelm me,
Yet He will never leave me or forsake me. (Psalm 46)
I will be still and know that He is God
He will be exalted among the nations
And He will be exalted even in me!
He is the LORD of Hosts,
He is the God of His people. (Psalm 46)
He will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)
He surrounds me with His steadfast love.
Totally undeserved, it is abounding,
His mercy is great beyond all understanding.
It is inexhaustible. (Numbers 14)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
His steadfast love extends
As high as the heavens above.
It causes me as one of His children
To rest under the shadow of His wings. (Psalm 36)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
I will not hide His steadfast love
From His people.
I will declare it all around me,
For in His faithfulness He preserves me. (Psalm 40)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
Though, at times, tears flow day and night, (Psalm 42)
Yet I remember He
who collects them all in a bottle. (Psalm 56:8)
He is the one who surrounds me with His steadfast love
And gives me a song when I lay awake in the night. (Psalm
42)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
In my time of distress
I will sing of His steadfast love
As it is my fortress and my refuge
From a faithful God who has all power. (Psalm 59)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
I will bless the name of the LORD
For His steadfast love
Is as high as the heavens are above the earth
It is from everlasting to everlasting. (Psalm 103)
I will give thanks and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever.
For me to live is Christ
And to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Whatever God intends for me,
I know He means it for good. (Genesis 50: 20)
So I will give thanks always and bless His name,
For His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 107)
