God’s Plan Is Working, December 13
By Karen Tripp
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11 NIV).
Cancer treatment comes with a plan. The plan typically includes multiple doctors, procedures, medicines, and countless waiting rooms. Good cancer news typically sounds like, “Good news! Things are going as planned.” Of course, the plan is to get rid of the cancer, so it is great news to know that the plan is working. You see, if you’re excited about the plan, you’re excited when the plan is working.
That first Christmas was a major step in God’s master plan for being reunited with His beloved children. To celebrate, an angel showed up to a group of shepherds to say, “Good news! Things are going as planned.” The shepherds were very excited, so they must have had some idea of God’s plan. Let’s let the angel’s message give us some idea of God’s plan, as well.
First, the angel called Jesus a “Savior,” which means “deliverer.” God knows that in order for you or me to stand in front of Him in the throne room of God, we need to be perfect. This means we need to be delivered from darkness and made clean by someone who is perfect. That perfect deliverer is the beautiful newborn Jesus wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Second, the angel called baby Jesus, “Christ, the Lord.” That means the same as “the Supreme Anointed One!” There are times in the Bible where a verse is like a code, because the same words might be found in another verse written hundreds of years before. To fully understand the angel’s message, it helps to read this verse written hundreds of years before by the prophet Isaiah. Take a look:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1 NIV, italics added).
The shepherds, having studied it in school, would have known this verse. Can you see how the shepherds would have connected this verse to what the angel said? The angel is announcing that the anointed one from Isaiah 61:1 is here!
I feel like we have really found the good news about God’s plan to be reunited with you and me.
1) The anointed One of God has arrived as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
2) He has come to bind up broken hearts, free those who are trapped and shine the light of God on the dark things that can creep into our lives.
Now THAT’S some good news.
Could you use some good news in your cancer journey? Can the good news that came to the shepherds matter to you today? The answer is yes! You are part of God’s glorious plan. Seize this truth that Jesus came that first Christmas so that He can be your deliverer this Christmas. Cling to Christ. Fold yourself into His loving arms and know that He is shining His light into your darkness to deliver you—even from the strife of cancer.
Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your plan which has reunited me with You. Thank You for the gift of the Christ Child, so that each day as I push through cancer, I will know that You have restored me and I am not alone. Show me more clearly this Christmas the endless blessings of Your master plan, which has delivered me to You through Your Son. In His name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Stop for a moment and listen to "Christmas Day" by Chris Tomlin and We The Kingdom. Go ahead! Praise God for His great and perfect plan of sending His Son, Jesus, the light of the world, to save you, His beloved child, from the darkness that separates you from Him. You are never alone; Jesus is with you in whatever you face.
Karen Tripp, MS, LMFT, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Executive Director of Cancer Companions, the premiere national Christian cancer ministry (https://www.cancercompanion.org). Her roles have included authoring several Christian books including God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a daughter of a colon cancer survivor. Karen uses her experience to teach how to step into another person’s struggle to help build their faith while strengthening your own.
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.
