The number 40 in the Bible is significant, and is associated with times of trial and testing. It can also represent a time of new beginnings. In 2023 we got the great privilege to travel to Israel on a study trip, where this Judean wilderness picture was taken. It’s not the type of place that you want to live, but the wilderness offers an opportunity to draw close to God through waiting, through discomfort and trusting Him for the unknown.
For the next 40 days, I am experiencing a wilderness of sorts, away from my normal and my family. I am currently isolating in Chicago, focusing on recovering from the flu while awaiting the start of CAR-T-cell therapy next week. Here’s a rough sketch of the upcoming schedule (subject to change):
Tuesday March 11 – Becca joins me in Chicago while my parents stay with our kids in Grand Rapids
Wednesday – meet with Dr. Gordon at Northwestern and start first day of lympho-depleting chemotherapy
Thursday-Friday – second and third days of chemotherapy. This is intended to kill parts of my immune system to make room for the genetically modified T-cells.
Monday March 17 – admit to Northwestern Memorial hospital
Tuesday March 18 – T-cell infusion
March 19-30 – inpatient observation for symptoms
April 1-18 – outpatient observations for symptoms
CAR-T-cell therapy represents an amazing opportunity for me for potential remission from lymphoma. There are however dangerous side effects that we’ll be on the lookout for while I’m in this wilderness.
Becca will switch between me in Chicago and the kids in Grand Rapids several times over March and April.
Here are some ways you can pray:
- Pray for me that this will be a spiritual experience where I will meet God in new ways, as I learn to trust Him for the unknown
- Pray for our kids, as they are without Dad for 40+ days
- Pray for Becca as she single-parents for this long stretch. We are so thankful for the rich family and church support we have around us to make this doable.
- Pray against possible negative side-effects of CAR-T, including infection, high fever, neurological effects e.g. paralysis, confusion or loss of speech
And now for something lighter: Without consulting the internet or a computer, how many different “number 40″s in the Bible can you think of and which ones are they? Let me know in the comments!
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Idk how many times 49 appears in the Bible but I do find it rained that it rained for 40 days and nights then later Moses was in the desert for 40 years. Those are two extremes.
Dr. Google says 150 times
Chris, there’s Elijah’s 40 days as he’s running from Jezebel. There’s Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. I think there’s 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension. I think Moses may have been on the mount receiving the 10 commandments for 40 days. Noah waited 40 days to send out the raven once the ark had come to rest. I think it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, too, during the flood. That’s all I can think of without checking the Internet.
Thanks for that little quiz. You really made me think! And thanks for sharing your intimate prayers and concerns. I will be praying. You have some really challenging times ahead, not the least of which is being separated from your kids! Sending my love and hugs! ♥♥
Thank you for the update. We will be praying for you guys.
Chris,
This is truly intimidating. As daunting as it is to read this schedule and think about the procedures – it is reassuring to read about 40 days events found within the Holy Scriptures. It reminds me that GOD is capable of absolutely all things good. It is quite a trial for you especially as well as Becca and your children. We will use your prayer suggestions within our morning prayers. May GOD reward you with health & an ever deepening relationship with HIM. Health Blessings !!
Thankful for your parents being there to care for the kids.
Their presence will boost your morale as well as you take this 40 day journey that will demand so much of you both.
My prayers are with all of you as our my petitions to the Lord for health and joy persist.
Love to you.
Chris and Becca
Prevailing in prayer;trusting in an all powerful God who is always our security in uncertainty.
In Christ ,
Nikki K.
Good job getting us thinking, Chris. The only ones I can remember are Jesus 40 days & nights in the wilderness of temptation and the Israelites in the wilderness 40 years after listening to too many negative reports coming from the majority!
Sorry, I can only think of Lent and Noah’s ark. Here’s hoping your 40 days go wonderfully smooth!
Praying for you in this wilderness time.
Let’s stretch this to the 400 years of Biblical silence between the Old and the New Testaments. We are so grateful that God is not silent in your lives–40 days, 40 years, 400 years—Immanuel, God with us. God with you today, through T-cell infusion and forevermore. Praying.
Chris,
Pleading the blood of Christ over you and your family for all forms of healing!
God bless you!!
Wendy
Will be praying for you Chris, and your family. Thank you for sharing and updating us..
Dear Chris and Beccy,
It’s amazing to see that you look at your treatment time as a time comparable to the desert experiences of various characters in the Bible. May the Lord honor your faith and be tangibly close to you and hold you tight in his comforting arms!
Praying for you,
Hella
as you said= Jesus had 40 days being tested
Israelites spent 40 years wandering in desert
40 times ten years of Israel in Egypt
40 years was the amount of time several Kings ruled in the old testament before dying or being overthrown
Cant think of anything else. May God give you and the family strength as you face these 40 days in the wilderness Chris. Lots of love to you from sunny and warm Tauranga.
Although this is not in the Bible, we are in the liturgical season of Lent, which is for 40 days, where we focus on Jesus’ ministry, leading to His last days, and ending on the joyous Easter Sunday. May there be an “Easter” for the Hirt family at the end of this 40 day wilderness journey!
May God be with you in this wilderness, Hirt family. We are praying.
Praying from Bangkok….
Praying for y’all daily. God is good so trust in Him.
praying!
Praying for you all, trusting God to strengthen and sustain in the wilderness, comfort and woo you, guide and provide, heal and help you.
Praying for only positive side effects from this incredible treatment. So thankful you have this opportunity. Praying for Becca and the kids and your whole family as well.
Jesus is with you always.
Lauren