Mary and I have been working through a challenging Bible study together in the last few weeks. Louisa and Birgitta have been doing it too, and all of us have become aware that the preposition “in”, though little, has big significance.
Our study is titled “Believing God,” and one of the first things we learned was the monumental difference between believing God and believing IN God. Most people, if stopped on the street would say, “Sure. I believe in God.” But is that the same as actually believing him?
In our Bible study we’ve memo- rized 5 statements that are critical to God-belief without the “in”:
- God is who he says he is.
- God can do what he says he can do.
- I am who God says I am.
- I can do all things through Christ.
- God’s Word is alive and active in me.
In our Bible study we repeat these powerful truths aloud at the beginning of each session, reminding ourselves that if we don’t agree with these five, we’re believing IN God, not believing God.
And that’s not all. Our video instructor asked us to find a blue ribbon or cord to tie around one wrist during our weeks of learning. Much like a string tied around a finger, it was to be a reminder of those 5 truths. When we saw our blue cord many times each day, we were supposed to say, “I’m believing God,” accompanying it with sign language: “I’m (pointing to chest) believing (pointing to head) God (pointing upward).”
Two Thursdays back, Mary had a fever and wasn’t feeling well, so she missed our study time. We decided not to proceed without her, hoping she’d be back the next week, but by then she’d learned about her cancer. Now we’ve pushed the pause button indefinitely, because our little band of believers wouldn’t be the same without her.
When I visited Mary the morning after her diagnosis, her blue cord was peeking out from under her hospital gown, not much more than a few threads now. But there it was, testifying to those 5 rock-solid reasons for continuing to believe God, despite pancreatic cancer.
I’m wearing my blue cord, too, and as we chatted that first painful morning, I quietly planned to do the finger exercise at an opportune time, pointing to chest, head, and upward. Mary would know what it meant. But she beat me to it. Only a few minutes into our conversation her arm went up, she pointed to her blue cord, and did the point, point, point: I’m – believing – God.
So how, specifically, is she believing him? Today, she said it was this way:
“The Lord will cover [me] with his feathers. He will shelter [me] with his wings. His faithful promises are [my] armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4)
Mary’s prayer requests:
- For God’s wisdom in making treatment decisions
- For preparation of each family member for what they will learn this week
- For comfort, especially for her children
Thank you!
I am leading this study at our church right now, and I’m believing God for Mary. I know from experience that God can do what he says he can do – I pray that Mary is amazed by his goodness as I have been. I am a nearly 18 year cancer survivor, and if God had not been in control, I would not be here. I heard once that God will heal us of every disease, except the one He uses to bring us Home. I pray for comfort (physically and spiritually) for Mary as she goes through this difficult time. The One who is trustworthy has her future in His hands.
Praising The Lord for preparing your hearts ahead of this news with this powerful study, and most of all for the constant reality that He never leaves us or forsakes us, as well as the beautiful truth of ALL His promises. Praying often for your family. Thank you for sharing often about the Lord’s work in your lives. It is such an encouragement to many!
Dear Margaret, I could hardly believe what I was reading when you first told about Mary’s cancer. Please assure her of my prayers and be assured also that I’ll be praying for you and her family. -Ruth
Continuing to believe with all of you, Margaret.
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