Believing

Faith is not just believing with nothing special in mind – it is believing unto something and for something. The Word of God gives point, direction and purpose. Without the Bible, it is like “an arrow shot into the air that fell to earth I know not where.” In fact, it is the only book that gives faith a positive goal. One wonders what some religions propose to do for people who believe. They become a religious treadmill, believing for the sake of believing.

The apostle Paul was aboard a sinking ship, but he said, “I believe God.” It was not a kind of defiant sentiment. It was specific:

Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up … Then Paul stood in the midst of them and said … ‘I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul … indeed God has granted you all of those who sail with you.” Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.’

It was rather different for a man who was crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a storm. The captain tried to reassure him, saying, “Sir, we are in the hands of God.” The man replied, “Is it as bad as that?” Please hold this truth deep in your heart today – “when God gives you a promise, then you can stand securely upon it!”