What’s Your Pleasure?

 

I will praise the LORD with my whole heart,

In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

The works of the LORD are great,

Studied by all who have pleasure in them.

Psalm 111: 1-2

In what do you find pleasure? What makes you happy? What makes you feel joyful and free? Is it finding extra money in your bank account? A lower number than you expected on the scale? Perhaps it’s the weekend that makes you feel happy, or praise from your boss after an especially difficult project. These things are all good, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling happy about them. But today, I’d like to suggest a different approach to finding happiness, and it comes from these two little verses in Psalm 111.

These verses caught my eye in my quiet time this morning, because of that last line: “Studied by all who have pleasure in them.” Having done my time in school, I can’t really say that I’ve used the words, studied and pleasure in the same sentence too many times! I do appreciate studying because I like to learn new things, but pleasure to me is more indicative of recreation or relaxation, not the diligent work of learning that studying is.

Yet, the Lord says that those of who take pleasure in His works will study them. So, what are the works of the Lord? Well, this word is repeated a number of times in the Psalm. In verse three, we learn that his works are honorable and glorious. Verse four says they are to be remembered. Verse six tells us that the power of His works has been declared to His people.

But the really important clue about God’s works comes in verses seven through nine:

The works of His hands are verity and justice;

All His precepts are sure.

They stand fast forever and ever,

And are done in truth and uprightness.

He has sent redemption to His people;

He has commanded His covenant forever:

Holy and awesome is His name.

Truth and justice are God’s works! Think about that. In light of all the “fake news,” lies of our culture and the enemy, and even our own self-deception, God’s works are always true, and His precepts (or commandments) are always sure.  For all eternity, they will never fail, and they will never change. They will never be unfair, or partial to a particular people group. Always upright and true, God will remain absolutely unaltered and unquestionably pure and perfect.

I’d like to encourage you today to take some time to dwell on this truth. Truly take pleasure in the study of God’s unchanging perfection. In the midst of struggles with your bank account and the scale, your difficulties at work, or your dread of another Monday, take a moment just to think about God’s unchanging nature. He is always right, always true, always just. He will never change, even as your account balance, your job, and the seasons of your life surely will. These truths will bring you to that place of pleasure that I described in the beginning of this article. I can relax because I know that my sovereign, unchanging God, who redeemed His people (including me), will never change, will always do what is right, and will always be holy and awesome. Praise Him with your whole heart, and then go tell the whole congregation of the pleasure you’ve found in studying His works!

 

 

Our Cancer Journey, Part 10: Reflections at the One-Year Mark

Last time, I promised you more details about all the answered prayer, and the many ways the Lord blessed us, throughout the time of our treatment. There are so many things to tell, it’s hard to know where to begin!

Blessed From the Beginning

For starters, the news of the leukemia was not the first time we’d heard there was an issue with John’s blood. He had actually begun to have some abnormal numbers in his routine blood work about 3 years previous to the diagnosis. While they continued to be a bit off, there was never really anything too alarming, so they just kept checking them once a quarter or so. John remained outwardly healthy and seemed perfectly fine, so the doctor wasn’t concerned other than to keep checking. Finally, there did come the day the numbers were alarming, and that led to the first biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis.

Of course, having bad blood counts doesn’t seem like a blessing, but the knowledge and the monitoring allowed us to catch the disease early, before John even had a single symptom! In fact, when we arrived to check in at the hospital, the charge nurse looked at both of us and said, “Where’s the patient?” John has always taken pretty good care of himself, eating well and exercising regularly, so with no symptoms of disease, he looked normal and healthy. His good health was a huge advantage, and the doctors kept commenting how great it was that he had no high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, as these can cause awful complications when undergoing treatment.  

A Wise Move

Another wonderful provision the Lord made for us is that we live so close to the hospital.  The University of Kansas Medical Center is just about 20 miles from our home. KU has one of the leading stem cell transplant departments in the nation, collaborating with other major centers such as John’s Hopkins. So essentially, we had a team of the best and brightest in the country practically in our back yard, and ready to pounce on John’s disease with everything they knew! We marveled then (and still do today) at God’s provision for us. When we’d moved back here to Kansas City (we’d both grown up here but had moved when John joined the Navy), we thought we were doing it so our kids could know their grandparents and cousins. But God had other reasons, which we wouldn’t know about for over two decades. We are so grateful that he moved us then, and that He let us think it was our idea!

Financial Provision

Shortly after diagnosis and the beginning of treatment came the discussion of how we would pay for it. John had been at his job for only a short time, and would not be eligible for short-term disability. After visiting with the finance person assigned to our case, we had a moment of panic: Would John keep his job? What would we do for income during the year of treatment, during which he would be able to work only sporadically, and that only if he was allowed to keep his job.  Providentially, that moment of panic was brief, as John was informed early on that his job would remain his, regardless of how much or how little he was able to work. He remained fully employed, and fully insured, throughout his treatment.

Even the insurance company was amazing. We had a Transplant Coordinator specially assigned to our case, and she called me every week to see how John was doing, and how she could help. Those calls were such a comfort to me, as I was very concerned about the cost of all this and how we would pay. It turned out our benefits were excellent, and each time I thought something might not be covered, I would get a call from the coordinator letting me know it was all taken care of. Of course, there are always deductibles and the out of pocket max, but even those are being provided by our good and gracious Father.

Early Wisdom Pays Off

One other side note about the finances: We decided early in our marriage that we would live well below our means. We’d agreed I would stay home with the children, so we always lived on one income, regardless of how much it was. This early decision proved very wise as we navigated this journey, and I am so thankful that I don’t need to go out and get a job to pay off our medical debt while supporting a lifestyle at or above our means. Just one example that careful, wise decisions made early in marriage will bear lasting fruit.

There are many more examples of God’s faithfulness to us during this time, but they will have to wait till my next installment. Meanwhile, won’t you take a moment and praise God for His provision in your life? I’m certain we are not alone in marveling at the goodness of God. If you’re reading this, you’ve had some trials in your life too, I’m sure. Why not take the time, right now, to praise God for the many blessings that have flowed from His nail-scarred hands into your life?