The Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) TV series and its various adaptations have been one of the more successful genres in recent decades. The basic idea is that in a one-time (crime) event, the “who done it” is not apparent. It assumes the perpetrator did not leave his business card behind, but he did leave some evidence. Forensic science has come a long way from the magnifying glass of Sherlock Holmes, but the aim is the same: find the evidence.
In the last blog, we looked at the demonstration of God’s glory. Now I want to look at our response to His demonstration: investigating His glory through the lens of faith.
Fingerprinting was one of the first forensic techniques used to identify perpetrators. This technique goes as far back as the 1800s. However, forensics took a massive leap beyond fingerprints with the discovery of DNA. Because of its specificity, DNA has helped both convict and “unconvict” many accused.
Since Christ promised to be with us wherever we go, we should feel confident that He will show up regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. The only question is how. When He is not apparent, we need a Spiritual Christ Scene Investigator (S-CSI). And every S-CSI needs the equivalent of a spiritual magnifying glass to see the evidence that is there but not always obvious: a magnifying glass of faith.
Our culture often implies that only religious or superstitious people live by faith. “Normal” people live by facts. But a quick look at several definitions of faith can help us dispel this myth.
The assent of the mind to the truth of a proposition advanced by another; belief, or probable evidence of any kind.1
Faith (GR: Pistis): primarily, “firm persuasion,” a conviction based upon hearing.2
The confident conviction of an unseen reality based on the integrity of another.
Faith Principle #1: Faith is the lens that allows us to see what is real but invisible.
Our eyes are perfectly designed receivers to see the spectrum of reality made visible from the radiation or reflection of white light. Likewise, most of our space telescopes are receivers of white light, allowing scientists to discover amazing facts about distant stars and galaxies. The Hubble telescope, for example, outside the earth’s atmosphere, uses visible light lenses to detect distant solar objects. It has sent back pictures from outer space with outstanding clarity since 1990.
But white (visible) light is only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Almost all objects on earth and in space also radiate and reflect infrared light which is invisible to our natural eyes. With a longer wavelength, infrared light can penetrate cosmic dust clouds, allowing scientists with an infrared lens to see with what was previously hidden. Scientists are hopeful that the recently launched Webb infrared telescope will be able to see into deep space and display reality undetectable even by telescopes like the Hubble. The key is in the type of lens they look through.
Reality is made visible in space or life with the proper lens. In addition to our eyes, God gives us the lens of faith with which to see what is real but hidden from our physical senses. We need the spiritual eyes (lens) of faith if we are to see God’s glory. God is not hiding from a seeking heart. . . . just from an indifferent one.
In Jeremiah, God said, “‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). And the writer of Hebrews said, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
We all live by faith every day.
1. We believe in things that are real but unseen based on the word of experts and people we trust.
2. Our physical senses do not detect all that is real.
3. Many discoveries about one-time events in fields like geology, criminology, and history, are made through the lens of abductive reasoning3 rather than physical evidence.
Consider these statements from Scripture:
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen (Hebrews 11:27).
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).
The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge (Psalm 19:2).
Faith Principle #2: Faith does not create reality but discovers it.
So we fix our minds not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
We have an example in the Old Testament story of Elisha and his valet hiding out in the town of Dothan, trying to avoid the Syrian king who was out to kill them. One morning they wake to find their city surrounded by the Syrian army. The valet panics, but Elisha appears calm and relaxed, casually drinking his mocha coffee. The valet suggests that Elisha needs to start looking at reality and make a plan to escape. But instead of panic, Elisha prays for the lens of faith. Now when the servant looks out the window, he sees more than the Syrian army. He also sees God’s army (See 2 Kings 6). God was present all along . . . just unseen by the casual observer.
Faith does not pretend something is true when it is not. We don’t create reality by our faith; we only see the reality that is invisible without it. We usually struggle to see the unseen reality because God doesn’t show up in the way we expect Him or when we expect Him. For example, God came down with fire when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. But later, Elijah was surprised when God didn’t show up either in the storm, fire, or earthquake. Instead, He spoke to Elijah in the gentle blowing wind. In these cases, we need to look for His fingerprint through the lens of faith.
Also, God often does not show up when we expect Him. Remember the story we mentioned in a previous blog about Jesus’ delay in helping Lazarus. His delay was not from disinterest but for a greater demonstration of His glory. Abraham, a paradigm of faith, struggled with God’s timing. Forty years is a long time to wait for God to show up. Impatient, Abraham made some choices that still affect us today. The lens of faith sees God at work even when there is little evidence when all we have is the quiet voice of His promises or the confident conviction of His nature.
Returning to our S-CSI, if we are to discover God’s presence in the landscapes of our lives, we will need to investigate His glory using the lens of faith. Otherwise, like the two men on the road to Emmaus, we may not recognize Him even though He is there.
1. Webster Dictionary
2. Vines New Testament Word Studies
3. Abductive reasoning: A logic that determines the best possible explanation from the available evidence.
For Reflection:
- What keeps us from recognizing God’s presence in our daily lives?
- What is a personal example of God showing up in the “still small voice”?
Excellent as always. Thanks!
What a great blog, Ron. Thank you. It’s easy for me to think of faith as trying to see something that isn’t there, rather than faith discovering the facts that are present. Good stuff!