Many times while waiting my turn at the tee of a golf course I have heard the exclamation, "What a beautiful follow-through!" This spontaneous admiration is voiced for the skill and accuracy of the player's stroke which enable him to keep out of the traps that are a part of every well-planned golf course. When students of Christian Science take their stand for Principle at the start of an experience and follow through with firm adherence to Truth, they too gain added spiritual power in the divine inspiration they receive, the force and accuracy of which carry them over many of the traps that are a part of mortal existence.
The Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego has always been inspiring to the writer because of the steadfastness the three Hebrew young men manifested and their faith in the God whom they worshiped. They resolutely took their stand for Truth right at the beginning of their captivity and steadfastly followed through in their unshaken faith that their God would deliver them from whatever trials might await them. The narrative relates that when taken prisoners by Nebuchadnezzar they were offered meat and wine from the king's table. With Daniel acting as spokesman they pleaded for pulse to eat and water to drink that they might not defile themselves. Their faith in divine protection was justified in the test which followed, for the Scriptures reveal that "their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat."
So clear was their understanding of the omnipotence of God that, although threatened with death if the charge that they did not worship the king's idol was true, they did not hesitate to declare (Dan. 3:17), "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." Here was no anger, no feeling of martyrdom or self-righteousness, no fear of pain or death, but a profound understanding of God's ever-presence and His full protection in well-doing.
