The Fourth Man in the Fire

When you're in the midst of cancer sometimes you only see the flames all around you...

Cancer...How exactly does one settle into life after a diagnosis of cancer? I didn't know where God was taking me. It was as though this was happening to someone else.Time slowed or stood completely still. My health care consisted of scans and biopsies; large quantities of ascites fluid emitted by the cancerous tumor was drained out of my abdomen. Each test or procedure brought me closer to the awaited chemotherapy treatment. I was in a limbo while waiting for the results of those tests and biopsies. Medical professionals assured me this was indeed ovarian cancer even before the test results confirmed it. In their profession they had seen cancer like mine before.

Through the testing phase of my journey and beyond, I was accompanied to my appointments by a caretaker. I would receive a medical bracelet for identification and then we sat and waited. I soon left my caretaker behind as my name was called and proceeded behind closed doors. Medical professionals confirming who I was and why I was there, notating all on computer charts. Dependent upon the procedure, my blood pressure and other vitals also taken and notated...and maybe I was handed a hospital gown to change into. Now prepped and alone I waited once again. Here I would lie on those gurneys covered in a white sheet and I would talk to Jesus...

The detailed coordination of my care was something I wasn't prepared for. In hindsight I see now that I didn't need to prepare...The Lord being so gracious and so loving provided for me every step of the way.

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When I read and meditate on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the Book of Daniel, were they not tossed into a fiery furnace? I was now within another type of furnace...the fiery furnace of cancer.

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"In the Midst of the Fire...The Fourth is like

The Son of God"

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

He spoke and commanded

that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego,

fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke,

saying to his counselors,

“Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”

They answered and said to the king,

“True, O king.”

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose,

walking in the midst of the fire;

and they are not hurt,

and the form of the fourth is like

The Son of God.”

***

Daniel 3:19-25

NKJV

Biblegateway

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"In My Distress I Called Upon the Lord

He Heard My Voice"

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I lean into Jesus. My Lord has seen me through other trials before, now feeling so unfair to be stricken with cancer. The burning flames of cancer...my own body maliciously rebelling against itself. The Holy Scriptures assure me that God hears me when I call; by His Spirit He is right beside me.

Psalm 18:6

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears."

NKJV

Biblegateway

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Lord God, Our Heavenly Father

When our hearts feel

heavy and consumed

by the burning flames of cancer

We call upon You

and we know

You hear us

when

we call

Encouraged by

The Holy Scriptures

Were not

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego,

bound and thrown down

into to the midst

of the

fire?

We can be assured

by scripture

You will never leave us

nor forsake us

Lord God

Help us to see You

right beside us

"The Fourth Man in the Fire"

Amen

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