I know many have and are facing the dread battle with cancer or some other calamity so I want to share with you the truth, that there is victory in the midst of the suffering. The pain is there but, the hope is there also and it is greater than the pain. With some, the attack comes suddenly and with some it is a prolonged struggle, as it was for my son Israel, but Jesus is a sure anchor throughout the struggle.

Israel’s children wrote these songs to commemorate their dad’s heart as he struggled in the battle against cancer and the fear of death we all have. But, Israel overcame as his faith was anchored in Jesus and his eyes were lifting to see the King coming for him. His testimony was Jesus walked beside him to the very end. I pray these will be a blessing to you as you face your struggles with this life. 

This last year Israel delved deep into the Song of Solomon where he saw the story of the Church and the Lord. The parable of the ten virgins that Jesus told also came alive to Israel as he studied Solomon’s Song where five were ready and waiting for the Bridegroom’s coming and five were not. He heard the Bridegroom’s call to ‘Come away with Me’. As he shared these truths with his family, they took on new meaning for them as well. His daughter Meagan wrote this song to remember these truths and Day of Eternity performs it next.

Words cannot adequately share the range of emotions that one goes through in these struggles but, know that in the midst of them God’s comfort will be there.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” – 1 Cor. 1:3-5

Paul further reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus –

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thes. 4:13-18