Over the last two months the unwelcome protein count in my blood has steadily increased from 1.1 to 2.7. Today I go meet with doctors who will say there is no doubt the cancer is back and treatment must take place.
In Jerusalem, early one morning between the 4:15 Muslim call to prayer and the 4:30 loud Jewish prayers in the building above our room, I thought about something I had realized before: Cancer is much like sin. It creeps in. It takes over. It destroys. (The analogy breaks down when considering ‘the pleasures of cancer for a season’ 
) I can still make a case for health as I look in the mirror and as I continue to work every day, but soon I could be accused of being in denial. As much as I hate it, I must eventually do something. Denial of sin is much more common than denial of disease. Paul explains in his letter to the Romans that God gave the Law to make denial more difficult. “The Law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…”
Thank God for grace! The grace that convicts us of sin and brings the godly sorrow that leads to repentance… and the grace that helps us go through the valley of the shadow of death without fearing evil. Before I even knew I had cancer five years ago, God said, “My grace is sufficient.” His promise was true then, will it not be true today?
I had a wrong thought as I pondered this sin/cancer comparison: ‘I wish cancer were as easy to get rid of as sin is.’ Grace invites the sinner to come to a Savior to receive forgiveness. Sin is erased without any work on our part, but an enormous price was paid for this blessing. Anything we go through will not compare to what Jesus endured to get rid of our sin. I’ve got to remember this to keep from complaining. This truth also contains a great encouragement: When we suffer, Jesus understands. The One who carried the Cross tells us to pick up our crosses, but we will not be alone. “Come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest.” I am thankful for this promise.
Psalm 121 takes on new meaning when you see where David lived. The City of David was in a valley because that is where the water flowed. This valley is surrounded by the mountains of Jerusalem, which often held David’s ruthless enemies. When you are surrounded by danger and there seems to be no escape, look up, as David did, and remember the Creator is still in control.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4