Jul
12
2008
Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings
Tony Snow died of cancer this morning (1955-2008). He was not only President Bush’s press secretary from 2006-2007, but also a committed Christian. Last fall he spent the day with my granddad. I arrived to my granddad’s house one hour after Tony and his wife left. I was sorry to have missed him. They spent their time talking together about the way God meets people as they walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.” Not only was Tony dealing with the pain and suffering that accompanies cancer, but my granddad was still reeling from the death of my grandmother three months earlier. I wish I could have been there to listen in on this conversation between two godly men speaking about God’s goodness and faithfulness in the misdt of life’s real and painful trials.
A year ago Tony wrote an article for Christianity Today entitled Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings. In this article, you’ll find a man whose understanding of God differs radically from those who believe that God always heals those who possess enough faith. (In light of my recent comments about Todd Bentley being a false prophet, I actually had a woman write to me saying that the reason my grandmother never recovered from the physical ailments which eventually took her life was because she lacked faith. This poor woman needs to read Tony’s article.) What Hebrews 11 makes clear is that it takes more faith to believe in God’s goodness and faithfulness when he chooses not to heal. Tony’s article exemplifies this.
Henry Durbanville once said, “We are not promised a smooth journey but we are promised a safe arrival.” The last couple years of Tony’s life were anything but smooth. But praise God, this morning he arrived safely home.
Please be praying for Tony’s family during this most difficult time.