The Food of God, June 24
Written by David Gira
“I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (John 4:32 NIV).
Almost three years after being declared cancer free, I started having occasional difficulty swallowing. It soon became daily, and in a matter of weeks, I could not eat or drink anything.
An endoscopy revealed a tumor obstructing my esophagus and preventing anything from entering my stomach. My lung cancer had again metastasized.
Doctors admitted me to the hospital to receive a feeding tube. They assured me the simple surgical procedure wouldn’t take long or be painful. My greatest concern was having a tube protruding from my six-pack abs and messing up my beach body!
After recovery, my nurse, using a large syringe, pushed my liquid lunch into my gut. Every few hours a nurse repeated the process. Two days later doctors sent me home with a bag of liquid food and syringes for self-feeding.
I missed real food, but there were advantages. I didn’t have to decide what to eat, buy groceries, or wash dishes. My liquid food was delivered to my home. I quit coffee, caffeine, and sweets, lost weight, and gained spiritual insights.
On one occasion, Jesus hadn’t been able to eat anything. The demands of ministry—multitudes of people hungry for healing and good news—had prevented Him.
The disciples express their concern to Jesus. He tells them that He has food they don’t know about. His food is doing His Father’s will and completing His work (see John 4:34).
Preaching God’s love. Loving the lost. Teaching truth. Spending time with His disciples. Healing the hurting. Performing miracles. Bringing the dead back to life. Giving His own life to others. All of this—and much more—was the Father’s will for Jesus, His assigned work, and it satisfied His every desire and hunger.
Jesus’ situation differed from mine, but His words resonated, both challenging and encouraging me. I couldn’t eat a juicy steak, a sticky cinnamon bun, or any of my favorites. I missed home-cooked meals and restaurants. But I, like Jesus, had food to eat.
I could focus on serving God instead of on what I couldn’t eat. I could pig out on prayer, stuff myself with scriptures, overindulge in serving others, and invite others to taste and see that the LORD is good (see Psalm 34:8). His words are “sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103 NIV) Jesus is the “Bread of Life”; those who believe in Him will hunger no more (see John 6:35).
Devoting myself to God would be my food. Jesus would sustain me completely. His supernatural strength would enable me to do all things!
How do cancer patients keep moving forward? How can some forget their pain? Smile at a terrible prognosis? Exude unquenchable joy? Think only of the needs of others? Believe God is using their disease for good? How are they unafraid?
Often, the answer is this: they are feasting on the glorious food of God. Many people sadly know nothing of it, but you know. So, take your seat at the Lord’s table and feast. Bon appétit!
Pray: God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.
Your Turn: The Psalmist proclaims, “When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16 NLT). Read and reflect on these words and God’s faithful provision in your life. Worship along with Hillsong as you listen to “All I Need is You.”
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.
