Our Daily Bread

Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals. Blisters form around the mouth, and the feet become extremely painful. The animals will not eat or drink, and they lose weight rapidly. Fortunately, preventive measures have made this infection virtually nonexistent in the US today.

Suppose you are rushed to the hospital, where a physician examines you and informs you that you are critically ill. He says you’ll die unless you have proper treatment. He then prescribes medicine and says, “If you will take this, I can assure you with absolute certainty that you will get well.”

God sometimes answers our prayers in marvelous ways, but He does not want us to become preoccupied with the miraculous. That’s why Jesus gently rebuked the nobleman who begged Him to come and heal his son (John 4:48). But in response to the father’s repeated appeal He said, “Go your way, your son lives” (v.50). The father came to “believe” on the basis of Jesus’ word alone. The reality of his faith is seen in the fact that he obeyed Christ’s simple command and “he went his way.”

Everybody likes to be a winner. So when we read in Romans 8:37 that we as followers of Christ are “more than conquerors,” we get excited. But what does that phrase mean?

At a banquet for an academic society, I sat next to a world-renowned scholar. I knew he was admired globally for the books he had written and for his lectures. I also knew that for years he had been struggling with depression. He told me that he was dependent on medication and counseling to keep him going. Then he said, “But Jesus Christ gives me a reason for living.” Those words are etched in my memory.

“I’m limited,” you say. You are frustrated by the cramping restrictions of age, illness, a difficult child, or an uncooperative spouse. Perhaps you are housebound or bedridden and feel you have no place to serve.

Because my daughter is a flight attendant, I am blessed with a parent’s pass for my personal use. For a small service charge, I may fly wherever the airline flies. There’s one drawback, however. I must be on “standby.” That means I’m allowed on board only if there’s space available. Until then, my luggage is set aside and labeled “Status Pending.” While the paying passengers board, I must wait, wondering if my name will be called. I can never be certain of a seat because available space isn’t guaranteed.

One of the most dreaded sentences a patient can hear is, “You have cancer.” These words bring a chill to the heart. Although great progress is being made in treating this disease, recovery can be long and painful, and many people do not survive.

Hijackers terrorized the passengers aboard an Indian Airlines jet for 8 days. Then, on December 31, 1999, the gunmen issued a final demand before releasing their hostages. “Sorry, but everyone has to say that I am forgiven,” said the hijacker code-named “Burger.” When the disbelieving passengers stared back at him, he ordered them to say, “I forgive you.” After hearing the words, the hijackers disappeared into the desert.

Is there such a thing as a superstar Christian who is so close to God or so godly that he can take time off in his relationship with God?