Knock Out!, June 28
Written by David Gira
“The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10 NIV).
In the book of Revelation we are given a vision of the end of time. It includes the final battle between God and evil. The forces of evil come out to battle God: the devil (portrayed as a red, seven-headed dragon), the world’s evil empires (pictured as a beast of the sea), and the false prophet all unite to fight.
Before they can strike a blow or say a word, Jesus arrives in splendor. He immediately disposes of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, as well as hell and death. The battle is over before it begins. It turns out to be no battle at all. (See Revelation 19:20-21; 20:10, 14).
I’m reminded of a highly-promoted mixed martial arts (MMA) fight. The opponents entered the stadium as loud music and dazzling lights hyped up the crowd and fighters. The announcer’s booming voice introduced the fighters. One danced around the ring like Mohamed Ali, playing to the crowd. Pounding his gloves together and punching his chest, he taunted the other fighter, who calmly watched. When round one started, the other fighter knocked “Ali” out cold with one punch.
Cancer can be a beast. It can talk trash, yelling and taunting us: Your condition is terminal. You won’t be here in five years, maybe five days. You will no longer do what you love. The people you love won’t be there for you. I’ll scare them away and break their hearts. This struggle will be more than you can handle. I will make you suffer. I’ll make you curse God. You’re mine. The devil may see cancer as a great opportunity for his evil spirits to tell us lies, deceive, and try to steal our faith.
Thankfully, we don’t have to wait until the end of time to experience Jesus’ victory. Admittedly, He isn’t the MMA type. But He fought and defeated death and sin with a one-two punch His enemies and others didn’t see coming: His sacrificial death on a cross and resurrection from the grave. It’s a divine mystery: Jesus will come again and is with us now.
Jesus will knock out your cancer in many ways—today, in the end, and every day in between. He alone determines the length of your life. If He wants you to live to be 100, you will. Faith in Jesus will throw your fears out of the ring. Jesus will send people who love you to help. Jesus will give you the strength needed. He will provide purpose and more. Healing can and will happen. He will use your struggle for your good (see Romans 8:28). You are Christ’s saved, not cancer’s slave.
If your body succumbs to death, Jesus still wins. You will wake up alive with Him in heaven. With Jesus, your condition’s not terminal, it’s eternal! You will receive a disease-free resurrection body and inherit a new heaven and earth where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying or pain … or cancer (see Revelation 21:4)!
Pray: Lord Jesus, You know my cancer is a beast. You know how hard it is. Help me to walk in faith and not fear. Fill me with Your Spirit and grace. Keep my heart, mind, and all that I am focused on You. Use cancer to make me more like You. Let me always remember You have defeated every enemy and will defeat cancer. Amen.
Your Turn: Listen to “Victory in Jesus” as sung by country music great Carrie Underwood. This old gospel song continues to sing true today:
Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever.
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.1
1. “Lyrics, Videos and Stories behind Hymns.” – Lyrics, Videos and Stories Behind Hymns. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://christianmusicandhymns.com/2022/07/victory-in-jesus-hymn-history-and-lyrics.html.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
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.
