Road to Health
Bible Reading: Hebrews 5:11-14
Author: John McCutcheon (Limpopo, South Africa)
Author: John McCutcheon (Limpopo, South Africa)
Friday 31 July 2026 © The Upper Room.
A mother brought her rather thin child to our clinic.
She had weaned him at one year of age. I asked her what she was feeding him now. She said, ‘Tea without milk and cornmeal porridge.’ I asked to see the child’s ‘Road to Health Chart’, a medical chart that includes a very useful graph indicating how the child is gaining weight over time in comparison with all children of that age.
This child had stopped gaining weight and was heading for malnutrition, a most serious condition. I explained to his mother what to feed him, emphasising foods high in protein to supplement the carbohydrates in his diet.
In Hebrews we read of Christians who were suffering from spiritual malnutrition and therefore had stopped growing. This too is a serious condition. Christian spiritual growth is aimed at ultimately attaining the likeness of our Saviour.
Our nourishment comes from studying God’s word and daily prayer contact with Jesus, who described himself as the bread of life. Jesus promised that those who come to him and believe in him would never go spiritually hungry or thirsty (see John 6:35).
Prayer: Loving God, give us a new hunger for your word. Help us to be faithful in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
