I was watching part of the series titled, “The Bible,” aired this spring on The History Channel, and was struck by the producer’s rendition of the three Hebrew boys cast into the fiery furnace.
The Israelites had been held in captivity by the Babylonians for decades. They were highly demoralized. They had lost their homeland. Their temple had been burned. They were slaves in a foreign land. Nothing was working right for them. Their suffering and plight felt so great there was a prevalent feeling among the children of Israel that God was no longer with them.
To top it off, Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden idol, props it up on the plain, and commands his kingdom to bow down and worship it.
On the TV screen, the king and his entourage are comfortably seated on a high viewing platform under a shade cloth in the desert overlooking thousands of people subject to royal rule. At the call of the horn, everyone bows down to the idol – except for three young men. They are cast into a fiery furnace for their refusal to honor the king’s decree. And they declare every step of the way in their prayers that God will protect them and save them. They had no belief that God had deserted them. They firmly believed God was with them.
As the blaze heightens in the furnace, and the men do not burn, the king is astonished. Christ appears with the boys. The king calls them out. He openly recognizes the power of their God and sets them free. All of Israel is watching. They are astonished, too. The eyes of the Israelites grow wide. Their mouths drop open. One by one they say out loud, “God is with us. God is with us again.” The event marks a turning point in morale and hope. Years later, the Israelites are set free and they return to their homeland.
As I watched though, I saw two different types of faith in the Israelites. Most had given up on God because they hadn’t seen any outward miracles for many years. The three Hebrew boys hadn’t seen any miracles either, but they had not given up on God. Their faith in God was rock solid, immoveable, even to the point of trusting God with their very lives.
And I asked myself, “Evan, which kind of faith do you have? Do you have the kind that needs to see an outward miracle before you believe? Or do you have the kind of saving faith that remains whether there is any outward evidence to justify it or not?”
I believe I have the second kind of faith, but the question, nonetheless, was a sobering inquiry to pursue.
God is always with everyone, but it sure helps to have faith to experience more of God’s saving power.
The three Hebrew boys had the faith, and it saved them from compromising their ideals to a self-proclaimed human god, and it also contributed to saving a nation from long term suffering.
Those who had lost their faith sacrificed their moral backbone and continued to bow down to the king’s godless decrees. They believed they had no choice but to keep serving the ruthless king. They saw no way out.
The three Hebrew boys saw a way out.
Do you have the kind of faith that sees a way out?
Yes!! That’s what it’s all about when we come down to it. Faith. Knowing, believing that God has our back (and front and side, above and below) no matter how frightening the picture. I’m learning this the hard way, but I’m learning and I’m grateful.
I am so glad that you mentioned The Bible series on TV, produced by Roma Downy and her husband. I felt that it was classic Television. It was a superb production with out a flaw in it. It should win an award for excellence. I viewed it as a student of Christian Science taken it in as if studying The Bible Lession.
Martin Lopez, Manila, Philippines
I experienced today what your article is conveying to us. Initially I need to be convinced that my faith works but what happened today gives me the confidence that GOD is indeed with us and never even left us. It is us who do no trust unless we see and experience.
A very timely article indeed. Keep it going. I always love the inspirations being shared in your blog.
yes! but i do get confused on faith vs. spiritual understanding…. not sure when faith is just a blind faith, and spiritual understanding is lacking, not sure always how to combine the 2?
I recently went through a fiery furnace,my wife of 41 years died in front of me after a four year battle with cancer.she did not use c.s.as I do,but this did not stop me from praying for her.her last hours were not a pleasant ending and I ask God where were you in her greatist need?were all the truth’s taught me in 66 years just words?her two sons and brother were also by her side holding her hand in her own home as the hospice nurse talked us through the process of death,a process she had seen many times.the thought kept pounding in my head.”where are you God,why are’nt you doing your job?……when she was gone a flood of relief flooded over me,but also such a sense of loss….yes this was our fiery furnace and some how god brought me through.divine love showed me that my sweet patricia could never be touched by this illusion,and that she immediatly realized there is no death.yes I still have faith.still trust in the lord.what other choice could I have?too believe the illusion of the adam dream? thats a very very dark place and I could never dwell there.I cling to my faith in God as the three young men did and suppose I will forever
Per faith and understanding…
Faith leads to understanding. One needs to first have faith that a God exists before they are ready to pursue a knowledge or understanding of God.
Faith in God brings much good into people’s lives. The difference between faith and understanding is seen in effect when faced with evil.
If one gets shaky, worried and fearful in the face of evil, they are resting on faith in God, to some degree.
If one can face evil with unflinching faith, and not become fearful, but still know and feel profoundly assured that all is well in God’s kingdom, they have understanding.
Faith can get shaky feet because it’s not yet fully grounded in understanding. Understanding is grounded, and remains fixed and firm.
Would you ever doubt 2 + 2 = 4? Nope, because you understand it to be true.
Well…I am always thinking about Mrs Eddy’s insistence of “proof” not profession.
Considering this is a science, we should expect and insist on “proof” quickly, if not immediately.
Otherwise, it does seem like an exercise in blind faith.