Work Accomplished with the Help of God, October 13
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Tom Corbell
So the wall was finished in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God (Nehemiah 6:15-16 ESV).
Nehemiah was a layman and a cupbearer to the great King Artaxerxes, who ruled Persia from 464 to 423 B.C. “Nehemiah” means "the Lord has comforted."
Nehemiah was one of the Jews in captivity in Babylon. His heart was troubled by reports of Jerusalem, the holy city of his people, lying in ruins, with the walls broken down and the gates destroyed by fire. He prayed that God would forgive His people and gather them again in Jerusalem. Who thought the great King Artaxerxes would listen to a cupbearer, asking for permission to restore this conquered city? Who thought a king would let thousands of the Jews leave? And that the king would even pay for it? What an amazing act of God’s deliverance!
Under Nehemiah’s gifted leadership, and with much prayer, the people worked together to complete the rebuilding of the walls against fierce opposition. Now, all that remained to do was the strengthening of the community within the walls.
There are two powerful lessons taught in today’s verse:
1) The magnificent walls were built in record time (fifty-two days) because both Nehemiah and the people had a vision that was approved and sanctified by God. Even the enemies of the Jews were taken aback by this accomplishment and gave the credit to God.
2) It wasn’t enough to have strong walls. You need strong and committed people who are strengthened spiritually by the Lord.
Cancer Companions began with a vision from God’s servant Karen Tripp. She wrote beautiful materials to encourage and guide cancer patients and their families. But she, like Nehemiah, needed to encourage and lead others with a vision for cancer ministry and to equip many to help “build the walls of faith and commitment.” Karen’s primary goal is to glorify the Lord Jesus and build His Body, the church. As you read these devotions you are being built up in faith, hope and love. None of us can do this alone. We need leaders and equippers to help us in the journey. And, like Nehemiah, we need to be people of prayer.
Cancer Companions is one ministry built on these principles that God is using to build up His people. On your cancer journey, what other people and groups has the Lord used to touch your life? Pray for them, connect with them, and, if God so leads you, become another “worker on the walls”! Maybe the Lord will even call you to be a Cancer Companions volunteer.
Pray: Lord Jesus, please bless our prayers, our study, our hope and our families by Your mighty presence. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Think about the leaders God is using to meet the needs of others in your church and your cancer journey. How might you encourage them? How might you be a part of what God is doing?
Tom Corbell, Hospice Pastor
Tom is a Lutheran pastor who has served Jesus in both North and South Carolina for forty-nine years. Six of those years he worked as a Hospice Chaplain, and he encountered cancer daily. The privilege of praying, working with and supporting cancer patients and their families is an honor.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
