A FAITH Worth Having
A FAITH Worth Having
Battered and dejected, the skeletonized man was barely able to stand on his own. His six-foot tall frame had been starved to the extreme with loose skin hanging off bone. At a mere ninety-seven pounds, his emaciated and haggard form wavered in unsteadiness. Naked, except for a ragged and woefully inadequate loincloth, the man was covered in filth, scars, and coagulated blood. Unkempt, greasy hair hung matted upon his bony shoulders and blended into his grimy, untrimmed beard. His withered face accented by protruding cheekbones and hollowed eyes, displayed nothing but abject humility. In his current despairing form, the man presented the lowest level to which humanity could be stripped.
He stood in stark solemness with no remorse, acutely aware that his “Good Samaritan” act was ultimately responsible for his fast approaching death. Around him, four enraged Japanese guards with reddened eyes and clinched fists prepared their attack. They had pumped themselves into a killing frenzy, feeding off each other’s contemptuous disgust for their prey. Their blood boiled with fury against the silent shadow-of-a-man at the center of their kill circle. Wild screams erupted from each of the guards moments before they swarmed upon the pitiful figure. Other prisoners cringed in horror and helplessness as they watched the barbarous gang attack commence. Each punch and kick were laced with the brutality of hatred and the power of lethality. The gaunt figure collapsed beneath the onslaught. The man’s weak body shook in convulsive tremors with each thunderous impact. Like a storm surge upon a rocky coastline, the pain from one hit barely registered before another crashed into his weakened frame. Each hammering thud took the man closer to the edge of abysmal blackness. At first, he tried to ward off the inevitable, but the cold darkness of unconsciousness had a haunting lure. Like a siren’s song, it offered a seductive alternative — the termination of pain. Slowly, he succumbed to the melody and allowed himself to advance to the precipice. With each spastic breath, the pain lessened, and the groans dwindled into faint whimpers. Then, finally, the pounding thuds were met with silence as he rolled off the edge into the enveloping blackness of unconsciousness.
It seemed like only a moment that he lingered in the peacefulness offered in the chasm of unawareness. A bucket of cold water poured over his head shocked his system and yanked him begrudgingly back to the harshness of reality. His attackers lifted him back to his feet so they could resume their excessive disciplinary action. The man’s body was already badly bruised and cut. Even with his little supportive muscle tissue, noticeable swelling began to register, sweeping up his legs, back, and arms. His sunken eyes seemed to totally disappear as swelling puffed his eyebrows and inflated around his cheekbones. Through his blurry vision, the man detected the flurry of more swings as his assailants restarted the beating. Uppercuts to the abdomen, crosses to the jaw, and wild hay makers to the temple. He shuddered as his knees buckled. Then he toppled to the dirt, where kicks dominated and multiplied with a vengeance. In sincere gratitude, he, once again, found solace in the rift of unconsciousness as he slipped away a second time. However, his enemies were persistent. They had not finished their heinous act, so another bucket of cold water was harshly administered.
No longer at the edge of consciousness, the man was teetering on the brink of death. He knew, with another attack, his body would join the thousands of others that had been unceremoniously dumped into a jungle-concealed and bamboo-lined mass grave. He would not be the first, nor the last. Yet, he accepted God’s will and had no fear. As helpless as a newborn kitten to control his own fate, the man turned to his unyielding faith and lifted his heart in prayer. “Dear Father I am ready to go or stay at Your command.”
Suddenly, bolstered by a Divine Presence that embraced him with unfathomable love, he felt a wonderful resurgence of strength throughout his body. Despite the years of suffering as a prisoner of war — the forced labor, the lack of sleep, the heat, the horrible sickness, the untreated jungle diseases, the skin ulcers, the worm infested rice, the lack of water, the filth, the maggots, the stench, and the death - despite all of it; the man found himself surrounded by the impenetrable love of the Blessed Savior. With a peace that radiated forth through the blood and grime, the pummeled and beaten man smiled. The other prisoners witnessed the shocking event and described it, aptly, as a “heavenly smile”.
The Japanese guards were smitten with disbelief as they acknowledged the prisoner’s smile. How could a man so close to death offer a smile? The guards’ incredulous looks morphed into furious rage. How dare this useless rubble offer a smile as retribution for punishment? In the Japanese soldiers’ minds, it was a disparaging act of defiance, and an utter mockery of discipline. It confirmed the sentence of death upon the disrespectful prisoner. The guards were, now more than ever, determined to kill the pathetic man.
Shrieking in violence, the guards stormed the prisoner. Rushing forward with fists raised to hammer down upon their helpless victim, the guards unexpectedly skidded to a stop three feet away. Puzzled looks washed over the guards’ faces as they attempted to move forward. As if protected by an invisible hedge, the man could not be reached. Perplexed, the guards retreated and strengthened their resolve for another simultaneous attack. All four guards charged forward again. Merciless screams of bitterness and rage spilled out from the guards’ mouths. Twelve feet — ten, eight, five, and then, abruptly, at three feet, the guards slid to another stop. They knew not what it was, but there was something protecting the prisoner. It was like an invisible Shield that could not be penetrated. It was a Power and a Presence that could not be explained. Despite their efforts, they could not touch the prisoner.
At that moment, the frail figure realized that the companionship of the Son of God had never been more precious and real in all of his life. Surrounded by an impregnable Force, the wobbly and grungy man stood humbly secure in the loving and fortified embrace of the Almighty.
Baffled and confused, the guards outward demeanor changed. Unable to complete their nefarious act, they succumbed to befuddled inward reflection. There was nothing in the physical realm that could explain what had happened. They could not comprehend it. Nor could they believe it. With looks of bewildered dismay, the guards trudged away into the jungle leaving their swaying prey still standing.
The other prisoners rallied to the man’s aid, and carried him to a hospital tent. As some administered to his injuries, they exclaimed, “This is a God worth trusting.” While throughout the prisoner camp, many others declared, “This is a faith worth having!”
When I wrote this story referencing the captive’s own detailed account, I had envisioned writing about God’s great power and presence. But, as oftentimes is the case, what I envision and what actually gets typed go different directions. Some would say that’s a good thing. Others would say, “No wonder he doesn’t make sense!” Be that as it may, I try not to force stories into predetermined topics. I do my best to let them flow and progress on their own. Like cream rising to the top, the topic of the story eventually surfaces.
Although this story does involve God’s magnificent power and presence, I found that there was a daily-applicable spiritual lesson rising to the top. The “elephant in the room” question that seemed to continually glare at me with a “stink-eye” and slap me with it’s trunk while writing was — “What causes Divine activity to be released in our lives?”
So, I started digging and found a wonderful verse of Scripture. The fact that it comes from Habakkuk hints at the length of time I spent digging!
“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness —”
Habakkuk 2:4 NIV
(Ref. Romans 1:17)
Does not the prisoner’s story fit that Scripture perfectly? Not only does the verse describe the story accurately, but it answers the “elephant in the room” question.
Another beautiful verse that links well with the prisoner’s story and answers the glaring question is:
“who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5 NIV
Notice, closely, that both verses mention faith. The righteous person will live by their FAITH, and through FAITH we are shielded by God’s power. Additionally, what did the prisoners throughout the camp declare?
“This is a FAITH worth having!”
Obviously, the answer to “What causes Divine activity to be released in our lives?” is simply — FAITH.
It’s all about FAITH, but there is a huge difference between declaring that we have faith in God and REALLY having FAITH in God supported by actions. In other words, do we just “talk the talk” or do we actually “walk the walk”?
In the Book of James it is written, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 NIV
James the Just, the brother of Jesus and the author of the Book of James, is not known for dancing around the truth. The penned letter of James is full of obligatory challenges that cut deeply into the heart of the believer. Case in point, James writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19 NIV
That is “in your face” Scripture that doesn’t beat around the bush. James is basically stating that to simply believe in God is demon-like faith because even demons know there is a God and tremble. It is not enough to believe. It is not enough to just talk about our faith and have knowledge of God. Even Satan and his minions are knowledgeable about God. They know exactly who the Son of God is and what He can do. But are they saved from the dismal Abyss?
Within all of the synoptic Gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke, there is a relevant illustration described as “Jesus restores a demon-possessed man” (Mathew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39).
Briefly summarizing the passages, Jesus and His disciples arrived in the region of Gerasenes, where, from a distance, a demon-possessed man ran towards them and fell on his knees in front of Jesus. He shouted, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
Jesus then asked, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” the man answered because he was filled with so many impure spirits. The demons repeatedly begged Jesus not to order them into the Abyss.
Then Jesus cast the numerous demons into a herd of swine. The herd of about two thousand pigs committed “Sooie-cide” and drowned in the lake (HaHa....I have to fit those classic one-liners in when I can...).
Take note that the demons knew exactly who Jesus was (Son of the Most High God), and they were very knowledgeable about what He could do. Yet, it is understood that demons do not have saving faith!
Genuine saving faith must encompass actions that support what we believe. Do we pray? Do we REALLY pray? Do we study the Word? Do we trust that God is in control? Do we trust that the Master can calm every storm?
As a further expounding but unrelated example;
I could tie a one-hundred foot rope to a tree and throw it over a cliff. I could stand there all day and talk about rappelling down that cliff. I could don my equipment, take a selfie vying for more likes and followers, and make everyone believe that I am a courageous adventurer. I could point at the tree and say that it’s a strong anchor. I could point at the knot that I tied and brag about it’s security. I could point at the rope and believe that it’s long enough. But all of my exhibitions and words are nothing more than demon-like faith. It is not genuine faith until I hook onto the rope, and then put all my weight on that anchor and knot. When I go over the edge and put all my trust in the rigging then, and only then, have I demonstrated proof-in-the-pudding faith that supports what I believe. In the spiritual realm, that could then be called Divine-interceding faith which is a faith that makes a difference and counts for something. It’s a strong faith that makes bystanders take note and wins souls for Christ. It’s a faith that releases Divine action. It’s a faith worth having!
“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” James 2:24 NIV
That puny helpless man that came so close to death in the jungles of Thailand, but found refuge under the shadow of the Almighty was full of genuine soul-saving and mountain-moving faith. He walked the walk everyday despite his epic trials and seemingly dismal future. He prayed constantly. He studied the Bible methodically. He memorized Scripture regularly. He steadily held hands with the Savior, and relied on the Master moment by moment. He risked himself to care for others often. He even volunteered to nurse in a cholera camp where the mortality rate was so high, it literally was just an isolated “death camp”. (In the horrible sanitary conditions of a jungle POW camp without proper treatment, cholera was extremely contagious and deadly. Volunteering to care for the infected in those kinds of conditions was like signing your own death warrant).
That feeble prisoner that wielded hero-like and action-packed faith was named Daniel C. Snaddon.
In November 1940, Mr. Snaddon became a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Unfortunately, on February 15, 1942, in the largest surrender of British-led forces in history, Dan Snaddon, amongst 80,000 others, became prisoners of war as the Fall of Singapore to the Japanese shook the world. Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister at the time, called it the “worst disaster” in British military history.
It is impossible to describe the severe trials and extreme conditions that Dan Snaddon was subjected to throughout his years of captivity. During World War II, the Japanese had very little regard for prisoners. In their society, it was considered dishonorable and an egregious act of weakness to surrender. Hence, prisoners were not treated well and were oftentimes killed. It is not necessary to look further than the Bataan Death March to understand the flagrant cruelty that encompassed that era. Although not part of the death march, Dan Snaddon was forced into hard labor on the construction of the “Railway of Death” from Bangkok to the borders of Burma. There are many estimates regarding the number of civilians and POWs that died in the project’s construction (no source provides definitive numbers). But the number most often offered is around 105,000 deaths. Using that number, approximately 405 men died for every mile of track built. Higher numbers could easily be projected since it has also been said that for every railroad tie that was laid, it cost one man’s life....(I’m not sure about the “Railway of Death”, but in the United States, there are over 3,000 railroad ties per mile of track!)
Mr. Snaddon provides a small glimpse at his life as a POW and the “Railway of Death” atrocities in his excellent but sometimes graphic book, “Through the Valley of the Shadow”(1). I have found my own faith challenged to the point of tears as I have read through his personal story (It is only through the grace of God that a man could endure and experience so much and still come out mentally unscathed. Every laborious step of every heart-wrenching day had to be taken hand in hand with Christ). His account has challenged me to complain less, to pray and study more, and to do more for the Kingdom of God through the Power of Christ living in me.
Of course, each and every one of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior have His resurrection Power available to us, but the real question always becomes — Is our FAITH worthy of that Power?
In point of fact, the degree of faith exhibited by Dan Snaddon made him a fortress through adversity that sustained him through unimaginable darkness. Personally, I hope none of us ever have our faith tested to that height of severity. However, Snaddon’s life testimony confirms that the Will of God will never take us where the Grace of God will not protect us. His story also proves that the God who preserved the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace still lives. It upholds that the Power that surrounded Elisha at Dothan still defends. And it validates that the Presence that protected Daniel in the lion’s den still reigns. Amen!
In 1959, Dan Snaddon followed the call into full-time service for God. For an additional 50 years, “Brother Dan” served the Master.
Whether administering care in a cholera camp, preaching the Word to fellow prisoners in POW camps, or having forbidden prayer meetings under darkened bamboo shelters, brother Dan’s ministry saved hundreds of lost souls in the jungles of Thailand. As Christians, I wonder — Have we been that devoted and brave amidst COVID-19? Will we be that committed to Christ when the next storm comes along? Or do our fears overcome our faith?
Later on in his life, whether behind a pulpit or behind written words, brother Dan continued to stubbornly serve the Kingdom of God. As a result, his ministry saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lost souls throughout Canada and the United States. Imagine the treasures in heaven that he amassed. What an admirable servant of God!
Dan Snaddon’s life was spared countless times through unbelievable odds due to his strong relationship and faith in the loving Savior. Brother Dan counted each miraculous occasion as just more time and more opportunities to serve the Lord. And so he did, faithfully, until May 16, 2009, when God finally pronounced that Dan Snaddon’s earthly work was done — just ten days shy of turning 95 years old.
No matter what trials or storms prevail, may we live the same way — in constant companionship with the Son of God. May the precious Son of God’s Power and Presence become as real and impactful to each of us in our allotted time here on earth. Let us pray for it. Let us strive for it. Let us dedicate ourselves to it. May the mighty fire of revival fall as His Presence embraces each and every one of us.
Truly, it is a FAITH worth having!
God's blessing...
Authored by Tad Spurlock
(1) Snaddon, Daniel C. “Through the Valley of the Shadow”
(It is difficult to find Daniel Snaddon’s book. There are copies out there including on-line versions, but one must look -- if interested, there is another easier to find book describing Snaddon’s miraculous story called;
Enlow, David R. “Singapore Survivor”. Good News, 1963)