Miracles, Musings, and Music, May 15
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“As I thought of you, I moaned, ‘God, where are you?’ I’m overwhelmed with despair as I wait for your help to arrive” (Psalm 77:3 TPT).
The Psalmist faced a crisis and needed divine intervention. He poured out his complaint to God. He cried out for God’s compassion. He ventured out in search of God. His grace was nowhere to be found. The Lord seemed to be out to lunch.
The Psalmist moans, “God, where are you?” (Psalm 77:3 TPT)
These four little words articulate a huge cry of the heart. In a cancer crisis, we may feel abandoned by God, ignored, or even fooled by our faith.
This psalm gives us permission and words to express to God feelings of abandonment. It also shows us two activities that sustained the Psalmist’s faith. Both can help us, too.
First, listening to worship music.
“I remembered the worship songs I used to sing in the night seasons, and my heart began to fill again with thoughts of you” (Psalm 77:6 TPT).
At the start of my cancer journey, I created a playlist entitled “Faith.” The first song on it is “Give Me Faith” by Elevation Worship. I loved their musical style and the lyrics spoke to my soul. They articulated my deepest desire:
Give me faith to trust what you say
That you're good and your love is great
I'm broken inside, I give you my life1
Many songs encouraged me. Contemporary songs like “How Great is Our God,” “Mighty to Save,” “Your Grace is Enough,” and “Good Good Father.” And of course, the traditional classics: “Amazing Grace,” “Leaning on Jesus,” and “Victory in Jesus.”
My playlist continues to grow, and I keep spinning the tunes. The music ministers to me, filling my mind and heart with God’s presence.
Second, musing on God’s miracles.
“Yet I could never forget all your miracles, my God, as I remember all your wonders of old. I ponder all you’ve done, Lord, musing on all your miracles” (Psalm 77:11-12 TPT).
We can find ourselves musing on cancer. It may consume our thinking and dominate our conversations. This only makes us feel more helpless and further from God.
Musing on God’s miracles, on the other hand, makes us feel closer to God. We are encouraged. Our spirits are lifted. We know God’s help is on the way.
The Bible is full of miracles for our musing. God’s creation of the world, the parting of the Red Sea, the Exodus. God’s miraculous provision and fighting for us. And the greatest miracle of all time—the birth of Jesus Christ. God is with us! He calms the storms, heals the sick. He gives His life so we can live.
God has given us plenty to ponder in the pages of Holy Scripture. On top of that, you have your own stories of God’s miracles in your life. Think about and ponder and muse over all these things. Obsess over God and His works. Not only will you feel closer to God. God will be in you.
Pray: Lord, sometimes cancer makes me feel far from You. Keep me close to Your heart. Enable my mind to be filled with thoughts of You, instead of cancer. Fill me with songs about You and help me muse on all Your miracles. Amen.
Your Turn: Spend time today listening to worship music and musing on God’s miracles. Check out my “Faith” playlist. Spend time reflecting on one of God’s amazing wonders in the Bible.
“Give Me Faith.” Elevation Worship. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://www.elevationworship.com/music/give-me-faith.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
