We have been thinking much about
King Asa of Judah, who most of his life exemplified what it means to “seek the Lord” – and only the Lord. Sadly, at the end of his life, he failed in this very area:
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.
To whom does our heart first run in a crisis? By God's grace, we desire to follow Asa's earlier example of trusting in the LORD: he and his footsoldiers were outnumbered almost two to one. Judah had 580,000 mighty men of valor, but their enemies had one million men – and 300 chariots.
So...they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said:
“LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”
After church last night, I called Esther and Esteban. We talked until almost midnight. They continue to be encouraged, looking to the only One who can hear and answer prayer – the One whom we are trusting to do His perfect will in each of our lives.
Jonatán and Esteban met with Dr. Porter, the orthopedic surgeon, and with the oncologists as well. They found out that the tumor was nine inches long (?!) and that only 85% of it had been destroyed by the six chemotherapy treatments that preceded the surgery. Medically, that means that Jona was a “poor responder” (to the chemo). The doctors had been hoping that the results would be above 90%, preferably above 95%.
One of the oncologists commented that in the (ten to fifteen?) years since his medical school days until now, Jona is only the second osteosarcoma patient with results of less than 90% of a tumor destroyed by chemotherapy.
According to the doctors, from here on we are going into unknown territory. Basically, the doctors will now put all the data into a computer which will then “randomize” (their word) a suggested course of treatment. We know that all details are in the wonderful hands of the Sovereign King of the Universe – and nothing will happen by chance!
Per Esteban's request, Jona's next (yet to be decided) treatment will begin on Friday, December 18. Delaying one week will allow Jona to take final exams at the academy next week. Yep! He went from his medical appointment straight to school yesterday!
Jona is encouraged, trusting in the LORD. How thankful we are for God's work of grace in his young heart! And you know Where to look if you're feeling discouraged by this news. Look to the LORD, and please continue to pray fervently with us:
Pray that Christ's name would be made big in the earth – in Jona's life, in the lives of our extended family, in the medical community here, in the eyes of others on the oncology floor, in our churches, and in the lives of our Christian brethren all over the world who are interceding for Jona.
Pray for wisdom for Esteban and Esther and the doctors as they make major decisions day by day.
Pray that the LORD, the Great Physician, would completely heal Jona.
Pray for Jona as he endeavors to finish out the semester, taking final exams next week.
As we continue to rest on the only One who can ultimately heal Jona, we echo the prayer of King Asa:
LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!
The LORD answered Asa's prayer, routing the Ethiopian army, because HE was keeping His covenant promise with Asa's predecessor, King David. There was more at stake than one battle in one time period. We who know
Christ as Savior serve the same LORD! HE is hearing our prayers and keeping His Word to us:
He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
May Jesus Christ be praised!
