Comforting Scripture for Cancer Diagnosis

When facing a cancer diagnosis, individuals often turn to Scripture for comfort and guidance. The Bible provides numerous passages that speak directly to the experience of suffering and offer hope in the midst of affliction. One of the primary sources of comfort is the assurance of God's presence and care. Psalms 23, for example, is a well-known passage that expresses trust in God's guidance and provision, even in the face of death ^[1].

The concept of comfort in Scripture is closely tied to the idea of God's loving kindness and salvation. In Psalms 13:5, the psalmist declares, "But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation" ^[1]. This trust in God's character and actions provides a foundation for comfort in times of distress. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 1:5 states, "For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ" ^[3]. This passage highlights the connection between Christ's sufferings and the comfort available to believers.

The book of Psalms is replete with expressions of trust and comfort in the face of adversity. Psalms 119:50 (ASV) says, "This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me" ^[5]. The Psalmist finds comfort in God's word, which brings life and sustenance. Torrey's Topical Textbook also notes that God is a refuge and strength to His people, providing comfort and preservation in times of affliction ^[6].

The Targum Jonathan, a Jewish Rabbinic source, interprets Isaiah 49:13 as a promise of comfort from God: "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and be glad, O mountains, with praise, for the Lord will comfort His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted" ^[9]. This passage emphasizes God's role as a comforter to His people.

In the Christian tradition, the Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) provides a framework for understanding comfort in the face of suffering. The catechism's first question asks, "What is your only comfort in life and in death?" The answer is, "That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ" ^[7]. This response grounds comfort in the believer's union with Christ and the assurance of His salvation.

The early Christian fathers also wrote about the importance of comfort in times of suffering. Augustine, in his work "City of God," describes the healing of a man who had been bedridden for many years. The patient was comforted by the presence of Christians, who prayed with him and encouraged him to keep up his heart ^[8].

In addition to these sources, James 5:13 instructs believers to pray when they are suffering and to sing praises when they are cheerful ^[2]. This passage encourages individuals to bring their experiences, whether positive or negative, before God in prayer.

The concept of comfort is also closely tied to the idea of hope. According to Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, believers can comfort one another with the words of Scripture, including the promise of appearing before the judgment seat of God ^[10]. This comfort is not available to everyone, however, but only to those whose spirits are purified by the Holy Spirit.

In the face of a cancer diagnosis, believers can find comfort in the promises of Scripture, the presence of God, and the support of the Christian community. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, God comforts His people, preserves them, and delivers them from evil ^[6]. The Heidelberg Catechism reminds believers that they belong to Christ, body and soul, and that He watches over them in such a way that not a hair can fall from their head without the will of their Father in heaven ^[7].

Ultimately, the comfort offered by Scripture is not a guarantee against suffering, but a promise of God's presence and care in the midst of it. As 2 Corinthians 7:4 states, "Multa mihi fiducia est apud vos, multa mihi gloriatio pro vobis : repletus sum consolatione ; superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione nostra" ("I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with comfort; I overflow with joy in all our affliction") ^[4]. This passage highlights the connection between comfort and joy, even in the face of tribulation.

The biblical concept of comfort is multifaceted, encompassing trust in God's character, the assurance of His presence, and the support of the Christian community. As believers face the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, they can draw on these sources of comfort to sustain them in their time of need. The Targum Jonathan's interpretation of Isaiah 66:13 reminds believers that God comforts them as a mother comforts her child, providing a powerful image of divine care and compassion ^[11].

Sources

Psalms “But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. -- Psalms 13:5”
James “Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. -- James 5:13”
2 Corinthians “For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 1:5”
2 Corinthians “Multa mihi fiducia est apud vos, multa mihi gloriatio pro vobis : repletus sum consolatione ; superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione nostra. -- 2 Corinthians 7:4”
Psalms “Psalms 119:50 (ASV) — This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) “Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed, 1563), Q. What is your only comfort: Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own,1 but belong— body and soul, in life and in death—2 to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5 He also watches over me in such a way6 that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven;7 in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8 Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal li”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 8.--OF MIRACLES WHICH WERE WROUGHT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BELIEVE IN CHRIST, AND WHICH HAVE NOT CEASED SINCE THE WORLD BELIEVED. (part 5): the patient beseeching his visitors to be present next morning, they exhorting him to keep up his heart. The dreaded day dawned. The servants of God were present, as they had promised to be; the surgeons arrived; all that the circumstances required was ready; the frightful instruments are produced; all look on in wonder and suspense. While those who have most influence with the patient are cheer”
Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 49:13: Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and be glad, O mountains, with praise, for the Lord will comfort His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted.”
1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 4:18: Comfort one another with these words - Strange saying! comfort a man with the information that he is going to appear before the judgment-seat of God! Who can feel comfort from these words? That man alone with whose spirit the Spirit of God bears witness that his sins are blotted out, and the thoughts of whose heart are purified by the inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit, so that he can perfectly love him, and worthily magnify his name. Reader, thou art not in a safe state unless it be thus with thee, or thou art hungering and thirsting after righteousness. If s”
Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 66:13: As a man whom his mother comforts, so my WORD shall comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

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