Our fathers chained in prisons dark
Were still in heart and conscience free
How sweet would be their children’s fate
If they like them could die for Thee
Faith of Our Fathers 1849
By: Frederick William Faber (1814 – 1863)
Listen to this a cappella version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this hymn ask yourself if you can make the commitment of the refrain. “Faith of our father, holy faith, we will be true to Thee ’til death.” That is quite a commitment! Let’s think about this.
Sweet Fate
Sweet to suffer?
Sweet to go to prison?
Sweet to have the devil thrown us around?
That seems crazy! But that is exactly what the hymn writer is advocating. What could lead him to such a strange conclusion? The demonstration of our faith being similar to theirs, that we too might gain the reward of such faith.
How sweet would be their children’s fate
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison…Revelation 2:10a ESV
The church in Smyrna is being encouraged to remain faithful even though some of them are about to be thrown into prison. We can take these words to heart if our faith like theirs ever requires that of us. As their spiritual children we may share a similar fate. But sweet?
We have a faith that has been handed down to us from those who have gone before us. We are their spiritual children and some of us may share their fate. Do we have the perspective that would enable us to stand as strong as they did if we were persecuted for our faith?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what fate would be sweet to you. God looks at things from a very different perspective and when we embrace it so do we. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, show me the resolve of my faith.”
Die Like Them
Not only to be imprisoned, but to die. How in the world could that be considered a sweet fate? When you consider what we inherit when we demonstrate such faith it becomes sweet.
If they like them could die for Thee
…and…you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10b ESV
It would be sweet because of this promise. If we are faithful to death we will receive the crown of life. Again it may seem contradictory, life for death, but the faith of our fathers is one of an upside-down kingdom. Death is life when it comes because we are faithful.
And what if the choice was either renounce our faith or die? Would it even be a choice at all or would we gladly welcome the opportunity to die for our faith as did many of them? Would we consider that a sweet fate or would we see it as a terrible consequence of believing?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about your perspective on dying for your faith. Do you think you could, or would you walk away. May seem easy to say now, but it might not be so easy to do then. Ask the Lord to show you how ready you are die for your faith. “Lord, help me embrace the fate of my faith.”
Lord, thank You for the saints that have gone before and declared their faith even to the point of death. What an incredible faith they had. Help me to be willing to do the same. In Jesus name. Amen.
Resolved Thinking!
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Podcast 36.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Our fathers chained in prisons dark
And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Acts 16:23 ESV
There are many stories in Scripture and beyond where our spiritual fathers were imprisoned for their faith. This of Paul and Silas is but one of them. Their faith was more than words. It was action as well, even when that action was painful and inconvenient. What an example!
Were still in heart and conscience free
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:25 ESV
They remained free even though they were in chains. Seems contradictory if not even impossible but it is true. Praying is one thing, maybe for deliverance, but singing is another. So free were they in heart and conscience they could sing hymns of praise to God. Hallelujah!
How sweet would be their children’s fate
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison…Revelation 2:10a ESV
The church in Smyrna is being encouraged to remain faithful even though some of them are about to be thrown into prison. We can take these words to heart if our faith like theirs ever requires that of us. As their spiritual children we may share a similar fate. But sweet?
If they like them could die for Thee
…and…you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10b ESV
It would be sweet because of this promise. If we are faithful to death we will receive the crown of life. Again it may seem contradictory, life for death, but the faith of our fathers is one of an upside-down kingdom. Death is life when it comes because we are faithful.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain
Our fathers chained in prisons dark
Were still in heart and conscience free
How sweet would be their children’s fate
If they like them could die for Thee
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Prison and Death for Faith: A Sweet Fate? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
How sweet would be their children’s fate – https://pixabay.com/photos/prison-prison-cell-jail-crime-553836/
If they like them could die for Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/search/crown/
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