John Piper diagnosed with cancer

John Piper is diagnosed with prostrate cancer, but it’s been detected early which means, the chances of a successful treatment are good. What impresses is Piper’s humility and boundless confidence in God’s goodness, come what may. Such a godly response to what is often considered a death sentence is the greater miracle and I praise God for Piper as much as I pray for God’s will to be done.

Excerpts from his cancer announcement read:

The most dangerous thing in the world is the sin of self-reliance and the stupor of worldliness. The news of cancer has a wonderfully blasting effect on both. I thank God for that. The times with Christ in these days have been unusually sweet.

For example, is there anything greater to hear and believe in the bottom of your heart than this: “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)?

God has designed this trial for my good and for your good. You can see this in 2 Corinthians 1:9, “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” And in 2 Corinthians 1:4-6, “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God . . . If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation.”

Read the rest of his inspiring letter here. No stoic resignation nor desperate appeals for healing.

Here then is where the test of godliness lies: It is not faith in God's power that distinguishes a godly man, but trust in His utter goodness. Now there's a lesson for me.