What God Has Prepared For You, May 8
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by By David Gira
“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided’” (Genesis 22:14 NIV).
Where will the money come from to pay for cancer treatment? The strength? The words to tell your kids? How will you find the right oncologist? Know what to do? Will friends and family help? While you may not know how or when, “the Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14).
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we find one of Scripture’s most challenging stories. God commands Abraham, a key person in the Old Testament, to sacrifice his one and only child, Isaac. God had promised Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. To take the life of any child was unacceptable. To sacrifice Isaac was truly unfathomable.
Shockingly, Abraham does not resist God. He takes Isaac and heads to the mountain where he is to sacrifice his son.
Along the way, Isaac sees they have the fire and the wood, but asks his father about a lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham answers, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8 NIV).
The dreadful moment arrives. Abraham takes the knife in his hand. At that moment, the Lord commands Abraham to stop and not harm the boy.
The entire gut-wrenching experience turns out to be a test. Did Abraham stand in awe of God’s power and majesty? Would he worship God alone? Would he love, honor, trust, and obey God—no matter what? Would Abraham give God everything, even his one and only son? In the New Testament, we are given a little window into how Abraham could obey God, even in this. We are told he truly believed that God could raise this promised son from the dead! (See Hebrews 11:17-19.)
At any rate, having passed the terrible test, Abraham looks up and sees a ram caught in a thicket, provided by God to be the sacrifice. God also gives Abraham a special blessing. Abraham names the place, “The Lord Will Provide.”
You might feel like God gave you cancer to test you. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thankfully, Jesus has passed the test for you. God the Father allowed His one and only Son to be sacrificed for you. You do not have to walk the “perfect” cancer walk. The perfect Lamb of God has washed away your every mistake (see John 1:29). Jesus died so you can live abundantly and eternally. He gives you courage, faith, hope, and healing.
Cancer is not a test, but it does test you. You want to obey God no matter what. You want to hold nothing back. You want to place your total trust in God. With or without cancer, you want to faithfully follow Jesus, but the disease is incredibly difficult. It threatens to take your life, or the life of a loved one, and may have already taken someone special from you. Cancer requires more than you have.
Whatever cancer demands, God will provide. You can trust God’s provision. You too can name this time and place of cancer, “The Lord Will Provide”.
Pray: Lord, look mercifully upon my life, and see all that I need. I want to faithfully face cancer, but it demands far more than I have. Thank You for being my God who always provides what I need. Help me trust You today and every day of my life. Above all, I thank You for Jesus. Amen.
Your Turn: Listen to this amazing song, “Jireh,” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City. Jehovah-Jireh means “The Lord Will Provide.” Remember the many ways God has provided for you. Give God thanks! Next, ask God to provide for what you need today.
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.
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