Jen Tan: Finding Job’s God in the Cancer Journey

 

Please read an important footnote at the end 

Who does not know of Job? Mostly everyone. Who understands the Book of Job? Very few.

The Book of Job is a profound exploration of undeserved suffering and the limitations of human logic in the face of divine sovereignty. It follows Job, a righteous man who loses his wealth, possessions, home and health, and subsequently engages in a grueling dialogue with his friends, who mistakenly argue that his agony must be a direct punishment for sin. The most important aspect of the narrative is its rejection of a simple "transactional" morality; it concludes with shifting the focus from "Why is this happening to me?". We understand that his suffering does not come from God. Nor from his behaviour. He is an innocent victim of the War of Satan. Ultimately, Job’s restoration underscores that while human suffering is often inexplicable, trust and integrity can exist independent of a "blessing-for-behavior" contract.

As many of us, Jen too had questions. Specially the "why me" question. She took the trouble to read the Book of Job and we quote her conclusion here.

"Reading the book of Job, I see reflections of my own journey. Job lost everything, and even his friends assumed his suffering was due to sin. Yet he could not understand why he was suffering so much as he kept claiming he has done nothing to deserve such punishment.

Before my cancer diagnosis, I was living a comfortable and fulfilling life. I had many plans for the future and looked forward to the joy of achieving them. But everything came to a halt after my diagnosis, and I found myself unable to plan ahead as I once did.

There are times when, like Job I find myself questioning God - have I sinned so much that I deserve all these suffering? Yet deep within, I believe God does not place sickness upon His children.

Throughout my cancer journey, he has been by my side, giving me strength and helping me to keep going every time I feel like giving up.

Through this illness, however, I have drawn closer to God. In losing so much, I came to realise that God is ultimately all we truly have. We are called to place our full trust in Him. While God gives us Himself, He does not reveal every detail of His plans to us. This reminds me that this life, with all its pain and uncertainty, is not our final destination".

To find "Job’s God" while navigating the terrain of a cancer journey is to surrender the agonizing pursuit of "Why?" for the restorative presence of "Who." The enduring lesson from Job is not a simple promise of restoration, but a fundamental shift in perspective. The conclusion of this devotional is not one of easy answers, but of resilient faith.

Ultimately, we meet Job's God not in the rational explanations of friends, but in the dark, intimate, and often frightening moments of our deepest pain. This is the comfort that transcends logic: 

The God who managed the chaotic chaos of creation is the very same God who sits with us in the clinic.

Editors Note: 

Today we want to very specially ask you for your prayers for Jen. She has undergone a PET Scan today and we need to pray, and pray hard, that it shows good results. God Bless you all. If you want to send a message for Jen, please add it in the comments section.  

The Jesus Advisory

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” 

(Micah 6:8,NIV)

Does God ask too much of us? 

At times it may seem impossible to live the way He wants us to. But the fact is that while the price of our sins has been paid we still have work to do. But the good news is Jesus gave us guidelines and advice on how to live. Jesus’ teachings generally shifted between radical ethical shifts, practical wisdom for daily living, and spiritual mandates.

Below is a curated compilation of his core advice, categorized by theme with their primary New Testament references.

1. On Human Relationships & Conflict

Jesus’ advice on social interaction was revolutionary for its time, focusing on proactive peace rather than reactive justice.

a. The Golden Rule: Treat others exactly how you want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)

b. The Radical Pivot: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

c. Conflict Resolution: If someone has wronged you, go to them privately first to resolve it. (Matthew 18:15)

d. The Limitless Pardon: Forgive others not just seven times, but seventy-seven times (essentially, without limit). (Matthew 18:22)

e. Judging Others: Remove the "log" from your own eye before trying to take the "speck" out of someone else's. (Matthew 7:3–5)

2. On Anxiety & Mental Well-being

His advisory on worry is remarkably modern, focusing on mindfulness and the futility of over-planning for "tomorrow."

a. The Futility of Worry: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or wear; worry cannot add a single hour to your life.(Matthew 6:25–27)

b. Daily Focus: Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

c. Finding Rest: If you are weary and burdened, come to him to find rest for your soul. (Matthew 11:28–30)

3. On Wealth & Ambition

Jesus viewed material wealth as a potential competitor for a person's heart and offered strict advice on priorities.

a. Priority of Heart: Do not store up treasures on earth where they decay; store them in heaven. Where your treasure is, your heart will be also. *(Matthew 6:19–21)*

b. The Dual Master Rule: You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24)

c. The Cost of Success: What good is it to gain the whole world but forfeit your soul? (Mark 8:36)

d. The Definition of Greatness: If you want to be "first" or great, you must be the servant of everyone else. (Mark 9:35)

4. On Personal Integrity & Faith

This section of the "Advisory" focuses on the internal world—motives rather than just outward actions.

a. Authentic Prayer: When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray in private rather than making a show of it. (Matthew 6:6)

b. Simple Honesty: Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)

c. The Foundation: Don't just hear these words; put them into practice. It is the difference between building a house on sand versus building on a rock. (Matthew 7:24–27)

d. Persistence: Ask, and it will be given; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9)

Today’s Practical Steps: 

a. Identify one person who frustrates you or with whom you have a minor "cold war." Spend 60 seconds privately wishing them well or praying for their success today. Notice if it changes your internal tension the next time you see their name on your phone.

b.  Whenever you catch yourself spiraling into a "What if?" scenario about next week or next month, physically stop and name three things you are responsible for only in the next three hours. Focus your energy exclusively on those immediate tasks.

c.  Look for a "low-status" task today—something that needs to be done but offers no praise or recognition (like tidying a shared space or helping a junior colleague with a tedious task). Do it quietly and move on.

d. Avoid the urge to "over-explain" or give a polite excuse for a boundary today. If you cannot do something, give a kind but firm "No" without the fluff. If you commit to something, ensure it is done exactly when you said it would be.

Active Trust

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." 

— Psalm 27:14

We often view waiting as a "gap" in our lives—a period of unproductive silence where we are stuck between a prayer and its answer. In a world that prizes immediate results and quick fixes, the act of waiting can feel like failure.

However, Scripture teaches us that waiting is not passive resignation; it is active trust. David repeats the command in Psalm 27 to emphasize its difficulty and its necessity. It takes immense courage to remain steady when the horizon remains empty. Yet, it is in this resistance that our spiritual "muscles" are built. Just as physical strength requires tension to grow, faith requires patient dependence to mature.

Do not mistake silence for absence. God often performs His most profound work in the quiet. While you are waiting for a change in your circumstances, He is working on a change in your character. He is building the endurance, trust, and refinement that you will need for the very blessing you are seeking. If you remain steadfast, He promises to strengthen your heart from the inside out.

Recall the Israelites at the Red Sea. With an ocean in front and an army behind, they were completely out of options, except wait for God to deliver them. There was no strategy to deploy and no strength left to fight. It was in that moment of absolute helplessness that Moses declared: “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Their deliverance didn't come through their own effort, but through surrendered obedience. They stood still, and God moved. The sea parted not because they fought, but because they trusted.

There are battles in your life today that striving cannot win. Worry will not solve them, and sheer determination will not overturn them. When you have prayed and done what is right, there comes a moment for holy stillness.

Choosing calm over panic is your greatest testimony of faith. When you stop scrambling and start resting in His sovereignty, you invite Him to move in ways you could never orchestrate yourself. Trust His timing, for He still knows how to make a way where there is no way.

Pray for the courage to stand still and watch Him move on your behalf. 

Peace in the Storm

                                  Peace in the Storm.

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” — Mark 4:39

Unlike stormy weather, life’s storms rarely send warnings. Financial strain, fractured relationships, sudden loss, or inner turmoil can rise like waves against your peace. In those moments, fear can feel louder than faith. Yet the same Jesus who stilled the sea then still reigns now. His authority has not diminished with time.

Sometimes the storm outside remains for a season, yet His presence calms the storm within. Let His Word speak louder than your anxiety. Refuse to let panic dictate your response. Invite Him into the center of your distress. Trust that the One who commands wind and waves also governs the details of your life. Go to His word and let His Spirit calm you and strengthen you.

Remember -

His peace is not the absence of storms, but the presence of His authority within them.

Action Step:

Pause today when anxiety stirs. Whisper, ‘Peace, be still.’ Let His presence steady your spirit before circumstances shift.

Monday Reset: Mercy in Motion

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.” — 

Psalm 136:1

This psalm was sung in the aftermath of exile, as the people of Israel reflected on the Lord’s covenant faithfulness. Each verse resounds with the refrain, “for His mercy endureth for ever,” recounting creation, deliverance, provision, and victory. The repetition was intentional—it anchored memory to mercy.

Having returned from captivity, the nation realized their survival was not due to strength or strategy, but steadfast love. Every line became a testimony that God’s goodness outlasts rebellion, exile, and hardship. Gratitude was not shallow sentiment; it was a declaration of theology and trust.

Gratitude reshapes the way you interpret your life. When you intentionally recount God’s faithfulness, your perspective begins to shift. Even when challenges persist, thankfulness redirects your attention from what feels lacking to the goodness that still surrounds you. Gratitude steadies anxious thoughts and softens restless striving. It trains your heart to recognize grace in ordinary moments.

Anchor Thought for the week: Gratitude is the lens that reveals mercy in motion.

As we begin this week, let us actively and intentionally remember His mercy. Let thanksgiving rise before worry, and praise precede every plan. Let us "Anchor" our hearts in gratitude so that peace may guide our steps.

Start this week by naming three mercies from last week—big or small. Speak them aloud. Let gratitude set the tone for the days ahead and may gratitude overflow from our lips and bring glory to His name. 

Sabbath Vespers: The Power of Prayer

                  

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 (KJV)

James wrote to believers scattered under pressure, reminding them that prayer was not a final option when everything else failed—it was their first and greatest resource. In the Epistle of James, he emphasized that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” To illustrate this truth, he pointed to Elijah, a prophet who prayed and saw drought come upon the land and later prayed again and witnessed rain fall. Elijah was not presented as superhuman but as a man subject to like passions as we are. His example demonstrated that heaven responds to earnest, faith-filled petitions. 

Let us not measure the effectiveness of our prayers by immediate visible change. Some answers unfold gradually, shaped by divine timing. Continue to pray with faith, not frustration. Lay our needs before Him consistently and trust that He hears every syllable. Our lives matter and our petitions matter. Our tears are seen. 

Almighty Father, ignite our prayer life with fresh faith. Teach us to pray with persistence and confidence in Your promises. Let our prayers align with Your will as we pray continue to pray for Jen before You today again. Be with her, strengthen her body and mind to respond to her treatment. We pray for Samira - grant her physical and mental resilience as she recovers from Immunotherapy. For Lisa, as she supports her daughter Arielle during her treatment. We ask for your wisdom in here family life. For the miracle of complete healing for Arielle. For strength to Lisa in re-building her life and her court case. We pray for Victoria and Alison, for Joan and Lindsey. And Lord, we widen this prayer to every person fighting cancer right now, including Swenson's husband. We pray for the seniors, specially the senior gentleman in India who has been your humble servant. We pray for his healing and strength as he undergoes dialysis and for his daughter and caretaker. We ask for prayer for Tem's nephew, as he goes into surgery, for an aneurism. We pray that God guides the surgeon's hands and that he makes a full recovery. We pray today very specially for John, for your miracle to undo any abnormality in his body. For Venus and her heart condition and for Pastor Ben and his family in India. We also pray for your servant who has dedicated his life for you - and is now facing hardships in job and health.

May this Sabbath bring:

Rest that restores. Peace that settles the soul. Joy that rises from gratitude. Faith that grows deeper. Light that guides every step.

May the peace of this day linger in our hearts long after the sun sets, fueling our purpose for the week to come.

Amen.

Please join us every week in our Sabbath Prayer for the week. We request your support in adopting prayer points for people mentioned, in your own prayers this week and become vessels of His healing.

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An Honourable Life: Jen Tan

Today, Jen talks about what it means to live a transformed life. How it effects our personality and behaviours. She talks about her own transformed life, motivating us as well. 

"Reading the book of Romans has taught me what it means to live an honorable life. As it says in Romans 12:17-21:

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

This reminds me that an honorable life is not about status, achievements, or how others treat us, but about choosing what is right in God's eyes. Choosing to act with grace, patience, and love, even in challenging moments.

Reading the Bible has changed my perspective on what an honorable life truly is. Before I started reading it, my life was centered around myself - my job, my earnings, my home, what I could accumulate, my hobbies, my family and my friends. Everything revolved around "me" and "mine". I measured life by what I could gain, control or enjoy.

But after going through cancer and beginning Bible study, I slowly began to see there is a different way to live in this world. A life not centered on self, but centered on God. A life that is not focused on worldly success, but by faith, purpose and trust in Him. As Romans 12:2 reminds us:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

This transformation does not happen overnight. It is a daily commitment to surrender and trust God even when we do not fully understand His plans and allowing him to guide us through our journey. I am learning to fully rely on him and that His will is not something to be feared, but something good, pleasing, and perfect, even in the midst of challenges.

As children of God, we are called to live differently - to joyfully offer our time and gifts in service to Him instead of holding tightly to our own plans. I am beginning to realise that true fulfilment does not come from my possession, but from who I belong to. In Him, I find peace, a stronger hope and a purpose that goes beyond this world." 

The Great Darner

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases." 

— Psalm 103:2–3

Did you know that "darning" is not actually the same thing as "mending"?

By definition, mending is simply repairing a damaged piece of fabric—often with a patch or a quick stitch. Darning, however, is the art of rebuilding the fabric from its core to revive its original form. In Persian and Urdu, the word for darning is "Raphoo." It is no coincidence that in the original Hebrew of Psalm 103:2–3, King David uses a word for "healing" that sounds strikingly similar: "Rapha." The Meaning of Rapha In the English language, "healing" often just means the absence of pain or closing the gap.  But the closest meaning of Rapha is: "to be made whole again." Rapha isn’t just about stopping the hurt; it is about restoring purpose. When a broken bone is Rapha-ed, it is mended so that the leg can once again carry the weight of the person. When God Rapha-s you, He isn't just stopping the bleeding; He is restoring you to your original, intended design so you can fulfill the specific plan He created you for.
Unlike modern medicine, which often separates physical health from mental or spiritual health, the word Rapha knows no such boundaries. In Scripture, it is used for:
A. Physical Ailments (The body)
B. Spiritual/Moral Injuries (The conscience)
C. Mental Brokenness (The soul)
When the Bible uses Rapha, it implies the restoration of the whole person. It is Holistic Wellness.
It’s Not Just What He Does—It’s Who He Is
Finally, and most importantly, Rapha is not just a description of something God does; it is a definition of Who He Is. God gives Himself the official title of Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Your Healer). He essentially says, "I am the One whose very nature is to stitch you back together when you are torn." Restoration is not an afterthought for God; it is His defining characteristic.
But can holistic healing be done without forgiveness? Let’s ask the author of the Psalm.
Scholars agree that David wrote Psalm 103 in his later years, looking back on a long, turbulent life. His references to being "redeemed from the pit" and God "healing all your diseases" suggest a man recovering from a significant physical and spiritual crisis. Unlike Psalm 51—which was an agonizing plea for help written after his affair with Bathsheba—Psalm 103 is a celebration of help already received.
By the end of this Psalm, David’s mind is at peace. He isn’t asking for forgiveness; he is marveling at the fact that God has already removed his sins "as far as the east is from the west" (v. 12). David understood that Rapha—true wellness—is impossible without the total forgiveness of your past and present alongside your physical recovery. Why? Because he knew, from experience, that without forgiveness one can never carry our God's purpose. 

Today, we often treat our lives in silos: we go to a doctor for the body, a therapist for the mind, and a gym for the physique. Psalm 103 refuses to separate them. It acknowledges that "diseases" aren't just physical; we suffer from "dis-ease" of the soul—burnout, anxiety, and bitterness.
If you are currently asking God, the Great Darner, to heal you, remember that His goal is to restore you to your original self and His purpose. 

But. Before you ask Him, ask yourself: When I am rapha-ed am I prepared to fulfil Gods purpose? 

The honest answer may surprise you. 

The Restoration that Built the Church: Pastor Rajiv

                                           

John 21 verses 1-19

Biblical scholars feel that the most significant aspect of this account is not what happened on the sea but what happened on the shore.

Just picture this - Jesus and his disciples sitting around a fire eating breakfast.

The blessing here was not the massive catch of fish but spending time with Jesus.

Then comes the most significant part of this whole narrative  and  the crux of this message today - the restoration of Peter.

Today, in this message let us understand from Pastor Rajiv - Why it had to be done, how Jesus did it and why it matters to us today. 

Who is Perfect?

                                    
"Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." — Revelation 3:2

Beginning of the week often comes with the pressure of a "fresh start." We look at the clean slate of a new week and feel the weight of expectation—the need to be the perfect employee, the perfect parent, or the perfect Christian.

But the message to the church in Sardis offers a startling perspective on perfection. It isn't about a flawless record; it’s about completion and spiritual alertness.

The church in Sardis had a great reputation. To an outsider, they looked like a thriving, "perfect" congregation. But Jesus looked past the brand and the busy schedules to see the heart. He found that while they had a name for being alive, they were actually dying.

Likewise, often, we strive for a "perfect" image while our inner life—our prayer, our integrity, our peace—is gasping for air. We are so busy maintaining the look of life that we forget to actually live in the Spirit.

In the original Greek, when Jesus says He found their deeds "unfinished" (or "not perfect"), the word used is "pepleromena". It refers to a vessel that hasn't been filled to the brim.

Who is perfect? In this context, perfection isn't the absence of mistakes; it is wholeness. It’s finishing what God started in you. It’s not abandoning the mission when it gets boring or difficult. It’s ensuring your private devotion matches your public profession.

The disciples went back to fishing because they thought the "project" of Jesus was finished at the cross. They were wrong. Jesus came to show them that the most important work—the spiritual harvest—was just beginning.

The beauty of Revelation 3:2 is that it is a message of hope. Jesus doesn't say, "It’s over, give up." He says, "Strengthen what remains."

Even if you feel like only 10% of your faith is still flickering, God can work with that 10%. He doesn't demand that you start from scratch with a perfect track record; He asks you to wake up and tend to the embers that are still glowing.

As you head into your week, stop asking, "How can I be flawless?" Instead, ask:

"What have I left unfinished?" Is there a conversation, a discipline, or a calling you’ve let slide into "survival mode"?

"Am I awake?" Are you moving through your tasks on autopilot, or are you alert to where God is moving in your workplace and home?

The Bottom Line: God isn't looking for people who never fail; He’s looking for people who refuse to stay asleep. Be "perfect" today by being fully present and fully His.