There is a story in the Bible - in the book of Daniel - about three young friends. Their names were Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. These young men were captives in a foreign land because the wicked king Nebuchadnezzar had besieged Jerusalem when they were young boys. They were taken as prisoners to Babylon where they would be taught the ways of the Chaldeans.

King Neb made a rule! Whenever he played music - everyone was required to bow down to worship the golden statue he had made of himself - sixty cubits high - almost 30 metres! Shad - Mesh - and Abe - had been taught in the ways of the Lord - faithful Israelites - (I would love to know their parents) - and they refused to bow. What is the first of the ten commandments? “You shall have no other gods before me.” The king said bow and they said “we won’t bow!”

When King Neb heard they weren’t obeying - he gave them one more chance. He gave them an ultimatum - “bow or I’m going to through you alive into a fiery furnace.” The music started - and they didn’t bow. The boys told the king that the God whom they served would be able to deliver them - but even if He didn’t - they still would never bow to him. Neb was really mad. (Sound familiar - someone doesn’t get their own way and they go ballistic!) He was furious! King Neb ordered the furnace to be 7 times hotter than it was usually heated. Shad - Mesh and Abe - were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats and their other garments - and were thrown in. The soldiers who threw them in were burnt to a crisp.

It seems the the King had a bird’s eye view of all the happenings. Apparently he jumped to his feet - exclaiming - “we cast three men in but I see four!”

I’ve been there! Not literally! Not in a furnace that is seven times hotter. But it’s felt that way. The heat! The oppression! The pain! I also know so many - family and friends - who’ve been thrown into their own fires. Fires of depression - divorce - death - separation - misunderstandings - job loss - family squabbles - accidents - cancer - physical and emotional pain - drug and alcohol addictions - so many hard things.

Take my new friend - CH - who I met for fifteen minutes last Friday night at the beach get- together here in Curaçao. We happened to be in the washroom at the same time and I commented on the pretty colour of her bathing suit. I was startled to see a tear roll down her cheek. She said she didn’t remember the last time she had received a compliment let alone a hug. C was from New York City - had lived on the streets for a time - had boiling water thrown at her chest (I saw the scars) - had had several relationships that never led to a commitment - and was in Curacao at the gift of a friend. We discovered we were almost the same age. I encouraged her with the only words that came to mind……..God had preserved her all these years for a specific purpose - that He cared for her - that He loved her. In all the trials and fires she walked through - the 4th Man was with her. We promised each other that we’d keep in touch. Maybe we will. Maybe we won’t - but I’ll always treasure the brief time we shared together. I will always remember her story. CH - the 4th Man promises to be with you always.

I have an elderly acquaintance - a widow for several years - independent - has an active social life - but faces the ordinary and natural issues that elders experience. I think about her several times throughout each day and of course - pray for her often. She loves God and has been in a relationship with Him all her life. She told me recently in a conversation that this winter has been somewhat difficult with so many dull days - not much sunshine.

A few weeks ago she had a Fourth Man in the Fire experience. It was a very snowy day - dark clouds looming overhead - and she told me she was standing in front of a window in her house - thinking about her life. Out of nowhere - the snow stopped briefly - the clouds parted for just a few minutes - and the sun shone right on her face. It illuminated her being and the whole room. She was filled with a warmth she’s never felt before. She told me she cried out in gratefulness and thanksgiving - knowing she was experiencing a very special God moment. The 4th Man showed up for her that day.

“Blessed assurance - Jesus is mine - He’s been my fourth man in the fire - time after time.”

Those three guys - Shadrach - Meshach and Abednego - it says - “the hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed and no smell of fire had come upon them”. Old King Neb changed his tune! He recognized the miracle too.

Like the three men in the fiery furnace I can testify the words from my future “funeral” song - Indy reminds me of this every time we hear it!

“All my life You have been faithful - all my life You have been so so good. With every breath that I am able - I will sing of the goodness of God. I love Your voice - You have led me through the fire - In darkest night - You are close like no other. I know You as a Father - I know You as a friend - I have lived in the goodness of God.”