March FORTH!

A friend of mine pointed out that the upcoming date for my surgery – March 4^th – is a bit of a double entendre. Yes, it can mean the 4^th day of the 3^rd month of the year. But when you say it out loud, you may also hear this: March FORTH! What a great phrase for me to hold onto as I head towards this potentially formidable day!

March: To move ahead in a determined manner
Forth: Forward, towards a certain point

Move ahead . . . in a determined manner . . . towards a certain point . . .

And what makes this an even stronger statement? Because the Lord is with me always, HE is marching forth as well! Listen to this passage from Isaiah 42:12-13. “Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise. The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.”

(I’m picturing Mel Gibson in “Braveheart” right now, gathering the Scottish troops and rushing towards the English soldiers). 

From day 1 of this journey, Dick and I have had a vivid picture of running to this battle. Overall, that means we assume an offensive posture towards this disease and not just a defensive one. Attitude, nutrition, scripture, and, at the top of the list, prayer . . . these are some of our offensive weapons. 

Though neither Dick nor I have any military experience, we’ve paid attention to know there are certain tactics in war that must be adhered to if you want to win.

And we’re going to win.

Here are a few “marching orders” . . .

Know your enemy
This concept has been a battle strategy since Old Testament times. One story I’m reminded of involved Gideon. If you have a minute, read the whole thing in Judges 6-8. But God’s kindness to Gideon is highlighted in Judges 7:9-11. It says this: “That night the Lord said to Gideon, ‘Get up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.But if you are afraid to do so, then go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp.’ So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp.” 

When they arrived, God had arranged for Gideon to overhear a conversation in which one man told another of a dream he’d had. This dream ended with Gideon defeating the armies. Gideon recognized this as a gigantic sign from the Lord and then had the courage to run to the battle.

So, who is my enemy? Your first answer would probably be – it is ovarian cancer. And that has truth to it. But digging deeper, my real enemy is this one: “Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith . . .” (1 Peter 5:8a-9b) THIS enemy plants seeds of fear, discouragement, and unrest. THIS enemy is the one I’m fighting hardest against. (And by the way, “Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4) 

Have the right equipment
God has given us HIS armor to use – anytime, any place, for any battle. I won’t go way into descriptions of these pieces, but I think they are important to list:
Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Shoes of peace 
Helmet of salvation
Shield of faith
Sword of the Spirit

And here’s how that tactical armor is to be used – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Trust Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts/Lord of Armies)
This is a great point that might be assumed, especially if you are a Christian. Why wouldn’t you trust the God who created the world, knows everything about you, and has a specific plan for your life?? And of course, most of us do. Most of the time. 

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Job 38-41, where the Lord finally speaks to Job in his suffering. Through these chapters, there is no doubt who Almighty God is, and how Job measures up (or really, how he doesn’t measure up). Some of my favorite questions the Lord asks Job are these:

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” (Job 38:4-5)

“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?” (Job 38:14-15)

“Where is the way to the home of light?  Do you know where darkness resides, so you can lead it back to its border? Do you know the paths to its home?” (Job 38:19-20)

“Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew?” (Job 38:28)

“Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket?” (Job 38:39-40)

And I love this one:
“Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?” (Job 28:35)

(I don’t know why . . . that last one just makes me smile.) 😃

The point of all these verses? To underscore that we have a very capable commanding officer! The best thing we can do is follow Him. 

Which leads to one last point . . .

Obey orders
I’ve just finished reading an amazing book that speaks to this subject. Impossible Commands by Jonty Allcock has been (no exaggeration here) life changing as I face what is ahead. Chapters in this book include Biblical commands such as Be Perfect, Rejoice in the Lord Always, and my personal favorite right now, Do Not Be Afraid. All of these are commands, not suggestions. And the premise of this book is that in our own strength they are impossible to obey! Mr. Allcock says, “Every command you read in the Bible should cause hope to rise within you as you call out to your Father for the power to obey.” 

He proceeds to lay out 4 steps to take in those times God is asking us to do something outside of our abilities. We admit:

I can’t (honesty about your own powerlessness)
I’m sorry (confession of our need for God’s help)
Please help (hopeful calling on your heavenly Father)
Let’s go! (getting up and starting to obey)

There is something very freeing about the absolute honesty and vulnerability found in these phrases. Can I obey God’s command to have courage and not be fearful without His help? No, I certainly can’t. But in the times when I hear an alarming detail about surgery or post-op or something else, here’s how I’m learning to pray: “Father, I know you command me to not be afraid. I can’t do that on my own. I’m sorry that I can’t. Would you help me not to be fearful? I know with you all things are possible, so will you replace my fear with courage, as only You can? Let’s go!” And you know what? When I come before the Lord in this posture, amazingly I receive God’s peace that passes understanding guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

March 4^th will be here before I know it. Apart from God’s power – fighting, protecting, and leading me – this would be a pretty daunting battle. But WITH Him . . . “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.” (Philippians 4:13, Amplified)

Sure, there are elements of unknown that I know are awaiting me. But I will march forth . . . on March 4th . . .  in God’s courage and strength! 

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)