I have shared a lot about my Dad’s cancer journey since 2017. Some good and some bad. But the ugly…well, not so much. The truth is, there has been a lot of ugly. There have been at least three specific times when we did not think Dad would make it. He recently just came through one of those times.

He had been on a break from chemo since last May. It became very obvious the cancer was coming back and he resumed chemo two weeks before Christmas. But he went down quickly after that. By the time he was supposed to receive another round, he was too weak and would not have been able to handle the treatment. He spent one night in the hospital receiving fluids. The doctor thought that the specific type of treatment that previously worked so well had either stopped being effective, or had actually reacted on him.

After some hard discussions, it was decided that Dad would be given a high dose of steroids for a week. At the end of that week, if he showed improvement, he might could try another type of treatment. If he did not show any improvement, then there was nothing else to be done.

It’s amazing what a new source of strength can do! Dad started showing improvement within just a couple days. He was able to get up better, started walking better. He started exercising as best he could and even has gotten to the point where he is using his cane instead of the walker. He is eating much better and his hope has returned. For the first time in a long time, he greeted me standing straight and tall. Instead of me stooping to give him a hug, he joked he was taller than me once again.

When the doctor saw him at the end of that week, he was surprised. There is just one more kind of treatment that the doctor thinks can be tried. Instead of going five days a week, once a month, he will now go one day a week, every week, for six weeks. At the end of that time, he will be reassessed.

As I was talking with my Dad this evening, he told me about a passage in the Gospel of Mark. A man showed he had faith in Jesus by saying he knew Jesus could heal him, if Jesus was willing. Jesus said He was willing and He did heal the man. Dad knows our Lord can heal him if He wills. We are praying it is His will.

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.   Mark 1:40-42 NKJV

I’ve been thinking about how that one medication given to Dad enabled him to gain strength. It helped him physically, but seeing the improvements has also helped him mentally. When we feel better, we think better. I also firmly believe it is God showing out in answer to many prayers.

But I’ve also pondered this fact. So many people are attempting to live life in their own strength. They may be managing well or they may have their head barely above water. Their weakness often shows up when a new trial begins. Things in their life can become very ugly and hopeless. They look to other people. They look to the world. But nothing can fill that emptiness and weakness they are experiencing. Without a new source of strength, they will surely perish.

But God.  

The first thing we have to do is look to the right Source of strength.

In the Book of Micah, the prophet was acknowledging the sinfulness of the people. He was acknowledging how they all had turned from God and all was hopeless. However, when he turned his eyes to God, he discovered a new source of comfort and strength.

But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine. Though I fall I will rise;
Though I live in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.  Micah 7:7-8 NASB

In the Book of Acts, Peter and the apostles were causing a disturbance among the people because of preaching the truth of the Gospel. They were imprisoned, released by an angel of the Lord, brought back before the religious council, and threatened. When they continued to preach, the religious leaders again discussed how to handle them. One Pharisee had enough sense to advise them. He said this:

“And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or movement is men, it will be overthrown; but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39 NASB

People can look to the world and they will not receive what their soul desires. In fact, they are actually fighting against God by not receiving Him. But when we come to that point and finally turn to the Lord, we find everything we never even knew we needed.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind. 1 Corinthians 1:25 NASB

The Psalms are full of verses about the strength of God. Here are just a couple.

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.  Psalm 105:4 NASB

On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3 NASB

Christ, alone, is our source.

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. Hebrews 5:8-9 NASB

Once we receive Christ as our personal Savior, He then becomes our very life. His strength is provided and also implanted within us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them; He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him. Psalm 37:39-40 NASB

And because we are living from His strength, He alone receives the glory.

Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  1 Peter 4:11 NASB

And so, we are claiming by faith, that God is the source of Dad’s new-found strength. We are waiting and watching to see what God will do. Whatever it is, we know it will bring glory and praise to God.

And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16 NASB

Dad, you still have a generation to speak to. Keep standing tall!