It's WAR!!!

This week's Torah portions, Vayera וָאֵרָא (And I Appeared) and Bo בֹּא (Come), covers Exodus 6:2-13:16, which talks about the ten plagues, the Exodus from Egypt, and the establishment of the Passover feast. To be honest, these are meant to be covered in two weeks, but I'm catching up because I missed a week while in the hospital. Taking advantage that they usually do split the 10 plagues into two portions, by combining them I can address the entire narrative and point in one week. This week we also restarted our weekly community groups where we meet members of the group in a home setting and talk about our struggles and share our victories with each other. One of the conversations I had stood out to me as a lesson worth sharing. One of my brothers in Christ shared with our group today that he is experiencing health challenges. Health challenges that I can completely relate to because they are linked to gastrointestinal disorders. Something I've been dealing with for nearly two decades. After the group meeting, this gentleman approached me and asked if I could offer any insights that would help him. I gave him some practical pointers, mostly dealing with making dietary changes and examining his own body because everyone's body reacts differently to the same foods. I told him that his diet is the only thing he has full control over, and that it would make the most positive impact in his life if he took this change seriously. My final conclusion to him, however, was this:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

I truly mean this. We talked about how we feel and how he believes in God, but at the same time, he feels uneasy and finds it difficult at times to believe, even though in reality, he is feeling sick and is often in agonizing pain. I can totally relate. I can't even begin to explain to you or anyone else how difficult it is to make faith declarations into the ether when you are experiencing the opposite in your flesh. Saying, "I'm healed by faith" out loud while at the same time moaning in pain because the pressure is pressing against your spine. Feeling as if a knife is stabbing your spine and then being twisted around a few times. Yet, we are supposed to speak the opposite out loud to see God's hand move in our favor? As crazy as it may seem, the truth is that you absolutely should do that. I've experienced firsthand and numerous times God's physical healing as I made faith declarations. It isn't easy, but it does happen. And with that, I can "Segway" back to this week's portion because that is exactly what Moses also experienced in this entire narrative. His story began as God called him out from the wilderness through a burning bush to go back to Egypt and liberate His people. The problem is that most of us read this story from a very comfortable position, not truly thinking about the stakes Moses faced. Remember, he fled Egypt because he was wanted for being a murderer. Going back to Egypt for him was not an easy decision. It took a lot of faith, and the stakes for him were high.

"When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well." Exodus 2:15

Going back to Egypt was never in Moses' mind or plans. On top of this, he was told to go into Pharaoh's presence and demand the freedom of Pharaoh's entire workforce. Can you imagine the audacity it would take for you to do something similar today? It would be like asking a convicted felon who escaped prison to walk into the White House and tell Trump to give every immigrant, legal or not, citizenship. In other words, without a miraculous movement from God, it is not something that would ever happen. Still, beyond all hope, Moses obeyed and did exactly what God told him to do. He goes before Pharaoh, tells him what to do, God performs a miracle, and everything worked out, right? Not quite. Everything went as planned, but this was the result:

"But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart." Exodus 7:22-23

Though Moses obeyed God and did all He instructed, Pharaoh did not listen. What was Moses' response? Did he just give up and return to Midian? Not at all. God instructed Moses to keep trying again and again until he obtained the outcome God had intended from the beginning. That is why I say that even in agony and pain, we MUST continue to declare out loud, by faith, that we are healed. Our enemy, Satan, is represented in this narrative by Pharaoh. Pharaoh didn't give in to God's demands right away. He was proud, stubborn, and self-righteous. It took several doses of God's mighty hand before he surrendered and gave in to God's will. Satan is possibly worse. If you are afflicted by illness or a disease, the healing is yours by faith, but the enemy is not going to simply lie down and give you this triumph. It is a spiritual war. You need to keep fighting until the victory is solidified. Don't give in even if the physical symptoms tell you otherwise.

Even when God answered Daniel's prayer. The Archangel Michael had to battle to deliver the message, and that took several weeks. Your victory, even when decreed by God, may take time to manifest. (See Daniel 10:12-13)

Let me be VERY clear here. I'm not saying don't seek medical help, nor am I saying that you shouldn't take your medication. I do that myself. I have not only sought the help of professionals for my health situation, but even had surgery to remove the cancer tumor from my left kidney. Still, with every step, I have always continued to believe and to pray for the miraculous healing of my body. And I can testify that I have experienced this healing in the past and even wrote a book about that experience. But that experience didn't change me into a superhuman who is now immune to any future ailments. It has, however, planted into my heart an assurance that God can and does heal those who seek Him. Gastroparesis, the illness God removed from my body, has no cure and is a progressive disease that becomes worse over time. I haven't had symptoms of Gastroparesis for about a decade, even though I stopped taking any medication for it during these 10 years. My point is, God does heal and has healed me from that disease. What I face now and have been struggling with for about 5 years is connected to a new diagnosis: bilateral kidney cancer. One side has been successfully removed by surgery, and the other has been shrinking for the past two years. Still, the symptoms I face tell me that this war is not over. Therefore, I must continue to fight in both the spiritual and the physical realms.

While I fight this battle, it is human nature to try to figure out why something is happening. I tried blaming it on myself. "It must be some sin in my life", I thought, and tried to "fix it" by repenting and changing some behaviors. What I found out is that, yes, we should always try to deal with sin in our lives and cut those from our lives as aggressively as we do with a cancerous tumor, but that did not resolve my problem. The repentance and change have been done for over a year, yet I'm still dealing with the illness. I then began to think that it was God's will that I remain sick, but that doesn't align with God's character, and the only thing that Jesus never said no to was anyone approaching Him and asking for healing. I believe that healing is ALWAYS God's will. I believe it is the only thing we can pray for with confidence and know that it aligns with God's perfect will. So, why then am I still dealing with this illness? Why are so many people sick in this world? That is when I hit one of those fundamental paradigm shifts again. My entire worldview has changed as I believe the Lord answered this question. And it was the profound answer I gave to my brother and friend, who is now beginning to experience the same thing... The brother from my community group. Which is this same answer again...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

The bottom line is this. Instead of asking "why?" we should really be asking "for what?" The logic for me came from Jesus' behavior and reasoning behind his behavior when He found out that his good friend and cousin was ill. Jesus could have dropped everything and traveled to Bethany in time to heal him. Instead, Jesus does nothing and waits for Lazarus to die before travelling there. Does this mean that Jesus doesn't care or loves Lazarus? Absolutely not. He is clearly sad about Lazarus' death and even cries because of it and because of how others are hurt by his death. Jesus, who was willing and able to heal Lazarus, allows him to suffer and die instead, just so he could raise him from the dead later? How does that make sense, and what for? Jesus gives us a response:

"When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.'" John 11:4 & "So then he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'" John 11:14&15

This entire narrative clears up so many things for me. Sometimes God, though He is willing and able, allows us to experience sickness or negative circumstances to bring out glorious results that will amplify God's glory. I find this very comforting and hope you feel it too. Knowing that the things I experience may be for a greater purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. I am in a part of my life where my trust in the LORD surpasses my desires and well-being. So, I will continue to fight against our enemy by declaring out loud and in faith that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. (as it is written, "by His stripes we are healed" in Isaiah 53:5). I will proclaim this until it manifests itself in this reality. Like Moses, I will continue to approach Pharaoh and demand freedom from these circumstances until God's final plague releases me from the bondage I am under this illness. I told my friend, and I fully believe this: "Only in eternity will we see how God is using our circumstances to bring glory to His name." As long as we are called by His name and believe, IN ALL THINGS GOD IS WORKING FOR GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. Not some things, but all.

As you continue to walk in God's ways this year, remember this truth and start to ask God what the purpose of your trials is. Instead of asking, "Why?" begin to ask Him what He is trying to teach you. Or what is He doing in your life through your trial? I believe that this will not only bring you comfort but also may bring you ultimate healing. I hope these words and challenge have blessed you as you endure whatever trial you are facing. Believe, and you will see the glory of God. These are the words of Jesus before Lazarus' resurrection:

"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'" John 11:40

I believe your body will be revived with your declarations of faith. I believe a dead relationship can be revived with declarations of faith and actions of love and forgiveness. I believe your dreams can be renewed and restored with declarations of faith and the renewing of your mind. The question is... "Do you believe?" Do you believe enough to shout out loud a declaration of faith? I hope so. Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov my beloved friends.