Defeat the Counsel of Ahithophel

"And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." -2 Sam 15:31

First Round of Chemo: So Far So Good!

I had my first chemo infusion this past Saturday on the Folfirinox regimen. Benadryl was required to mitigate some weird symptoms of a reaction (numb tongue, tingling extremities, twitching eyes), but all of that went away in a couple of hours. On this regimen I stay hooked up to a pump for two days, which fits into a fanny pack (I thought it would be a pain, but no big deal even for sleeping).

Sunday I felt great, which was one of my prayers - no interference with my attendance of public worship! After church I went over to Joshua Unger's for my first real weight lifting session of the new program (more on that later). No problem, easy day.

Yesterday I felt nauseated so it was hard to eat as much as I need to, but really not bad. Today I felt great, almost completely normal but still hard to eat.

Later Sunday evening Joshua came over to look at my space for the new weight set we're planning, and I started to feel weaker. I slumped down into a chair and passed out, but shortly before I lost consciousness he asked me a haunting but valid question: "Do you believe all of this is going to work?"

What he meant was, do I believe the cancer treatment, weight lifting program, eating, etc, will result in saving my life? He pointed out that if I believe it will work, it plays a big part in whether it actually works or not. I knew it was a good question and I couldn't fake the answer, so I didn't. I didn't answer.

Bold Prayer

One young lady I work with wrote me after her donation to the GoFundMe that she was praying boldly for my full healing. Through all of the many excellent prayers I have been told about on my behalf, those words stuck in my memory for some reason. It wasn't that the idea was novel, it just comforted me that maybe I should make sure I also pray boldly. The other reason these words were significant to me is because the young lady's name is Hannah... named after one extremely bold praying woman in the Bible. 

If you remember the story, Hannah's problem was that she had no children, and was constantly mocked and antagonized by "the other wife" who had several. Hannah's bold prayer included a bold vow: If God would give her a son, she would give him to the Lord from his childhood in lifelong service. Of course God answered this prayer, and his name is Samuel. And he also gave her 5 more children, which she didn't ask for.

Maybe sometimes bold prayer should include bold vows. Is there a good reason I think the Lord should extend my life? What about you? I hope you don't think this is just about me...

Preparing Horses for Battle

Just a word on fitness strategy right now: It was pointed out to me from multiple sources that I am not starting out in a good physical state to withstand chemo... After a few months of long distance running with only a little strength training, and probably more weight loss from cancer than I realized at the time, I'm starting at 157 lb. I haven't seen the 150's since probably middle school. 

I need to put on as much weight as possible, and the best way to do that seems to be heavy weight lifting, combined with high calorie and especially protein intake. Chemo is of course working in the opposite direction, but the idea of chemo in the first place is to kill cancer just before the chemo kills you. So it makes sense that if the rest of my body is as massive and well-nourished as it can be under the circumstances, I should survive longer.

This is known in our circles as preparing the horse against the day of battle, according to Proverbs 21:31 (cited by Joshua Unger in a prior comment, if you remember): "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD."

The Counsel of Ahithophel

Sometimes it is difficult to reconcile in our minds how much we depend on the Lord's answer to prayer, versus our own efforts and strategies. My favorite marriage of these two involves David's situation while fleeing from his treasonous son Absalom. Ahithophel had been one of David's greatest advisors - so much so, that it was said his advice was like getting it from an angel of God. But Ahithophel defected with Absalom, which put David in quite a bit of danger. 

What did David do? Pray or devise a plan? Both at once.

When David heard that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, he spoke the verse above: "O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (2 Sam 15:31).

Ahithophel's counsel to Absalom was to pursue David and his few men right then and defeat them before they had a chance to organize. This was the right choice and most likely would have been successful.

Then he hatched a plan to help his prayer become a reality: David had another counsellor named Hushai, who remained loyal. David sent Hushai back to Jerusalem to feign loyalty to Absalom and offer the opposite counsel of Ahithophel.

The plan worked, which shocked everyone - most of all, Ahithophel. He was so confused that his good counsel was forsaken that he went home and hung himself.

Does it matter whether David's plan or David's prayer should be credited? No. And here's why (recall Adam Wells' introduction to last Sunday's morning service):

"LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever." -Ps 131:1-3

My Answer

So do I think all of this will work? I still hesitate to answer that without rephrasing the question.

I appreciate Willis Melton bringing this up in a conversation last week: The three Hebrews answered Nebuchadnezzar boldly in approximately this way when facing the fiery furnace: "We know our God can deliver us, we do not know if He will, but even if He doesn't, we are not bowing down to your god!" Amen. Application to my case: Whether in life or in death I will thank and praise God!

I believe the strategy I have started (and will continue to develop) is as sound as David's plan to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. And I will pray and covet the prayers of the saints to bless our efforts. But far be it from me to predict the mind of God in this matter! 

Act boldly, pray boldly, vow boldly...