FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
Sakkie Parsons
Someone wrote to me about a person they love who is suffering because of a medical condition, and asked me how one should handle a situation that seems as if our Lord does not answer.
The person wrote to me, among other things, as follows:
“She is very discouraged and says that the Lord does not listen to her. She says we sing ‘He can move mountains,’ but why doesn’t He want to make her well?”
This is how I look at this kind of problem—being sick, sometimes even facing death, or living with some physical disability of one kind or another, and our Lord seemingly not answering my cries for help.
I also believe that I can speak with a certain measure of authority on this topic.
I was born with an eye problem that gradually worsened until today, when I am completely blind.
Then, in 1997, they discovered melanoma cancer in me, and the doctor told us that if they could not stop it, I would have only three to six months to live.
I underwent treatment for fourteen months, and cancer has never returned.
Personally, I have never—and I believe never will—question our Lord’s handling of my life, because I have this wonderful assurance:
Romans 8:28 And we know [with great confidence] that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose [and plan] for them.
I also reason, like my great hero Paul:
Romans 9:20 O man, who are you to argue with God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”
Now then –
I reckon that the “mountains” we sing about are, of course, not literal mountains. In my opinion, these are the problems that sometimes lie before us like mountains.
Sometimes I pray, and our Lord removes the mountains before me.
Sometimes I pray, and our Lord carries me on wings over the mountains before me.
Sometimes the Lord says to me:
“There is the mountain, Sakkie. Climb it.”
Sometimes the Lord says to people, as He pleased to tell me:
“This mountain, my child, is going to stay here, and I want you to be a living witness for Me in its shadow.”
Now, because I am His child, and because I have such a great cloud of witnesses around me—
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have gone before us], let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus [who both begins and perfects our faith], who for the joy [of the reward] set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame [of humiliation] and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Yes, while I have such a great cloud of witnesses, I will, (please read Hebrews 11), if I have to, also walk the whole way to Heaven in the shadow of this high mountain that towers over me, just as my great hero Paul walked to Heaven.
Do you remember what he wrote about himself?
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, so that I would not become conceited, a thorn in the flesh was given to me [a messenger of Satan] to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it might leave me.
9 But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected [and shows itself most effectively] in weakness.” Therefore I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me [in and through me].
All his life, serving our Lord, the apostle Paul walked in obedience in the shadow of that mountain, and in the darkness of that mountain’s shadow, as a disciple of Jesus, he let his light shine, just as Jesus said we should.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
He did not stop, even when, as an elderly man, he was in prison awaiting execution.
No, even then his light still shone for our Lord through what he wrote then—still shining today as you read these words on your computer screen:
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [from this life] is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
I do not know why I must travel through this life in the shadow of this high mountain toward my Jesus. Just as Paul did not fully know why many things happened.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly [an imperfect reflection], but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known [by God].
However, I know, as Paul also knew and testified while waiting on the executioner, and therefore I can tell you: it does not matter how high the mountain is whose shadow you may travel in during this life. What matters in the end is that we know:
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness [the reward of being declared righteous], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day—and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing [and look forward to His glorious return].
So, I want to encourage you—whatever your circumstances may be:
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness [leading to spiritual maturity].
4 Let steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be complete and perfect, lacking in nothing.
So, my friend,
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight [of faith]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and which you confessed [with a clear conscience and public declaration] before many witnesses.
To read a related question-and-answer on this topic, you can also request the following Thought from the Word:
“Therefore I pray and persevere in obedience.”
Sakkie