The Spiritual Fitness ManualSample

Faith Towards God - Part 1 

By Richard Glickstein

Norman Williams was flying on a 747. The plane stopped to refuel. While a dense fog rolled in, another 747 tried to take off. The pilot didn’t see Williams’ plane and collided with it killing everyone on that jet and many on the other 747.

A fireball began rolling through the cabin where Norman was sitting. He stood to his feet and remembered a Bible verse he had memorized as a child. 

Norman cried out, “I stand upon your word!  I stand upon your word! Norman then looked up to see a hole in the fuselage. He says that he does not know how he got through it to the roof but moments later he found himself sliding down the side of the wing and the fiery plane. Not one hair on his head or his body was burned. 

Through faith, Norman Williams escaped certain injury and death! So what does it mean to have faith in God? Faith can seem like a mysterious feeling that comes and goes but the Bible is clear on what faith is and how we can attain it. 

1. The word “faith” in the Bible means, “to trust.”

We need to give control of our circumstances to God and trust that He will work it out.  Such faith is stronger than simply “believing.” I may “believe” that a chair can support my weight but when I sit on it I “trust” it. 

To have faith or to “believe” in God means to “trust” Him. I rest on His power to support and sustain me just like the chair.

2. Faith is formed through our exposure to God’s Word. 

The Bible is a record of the work and promises of God for us. There are over 3,500 promises in it. He wants us to know these promises and trust that He will fulfill them.  Just like in a car, where the engineers put a manual in the glove compartment, God has given us instructions in His manual, the Bible. Read the Bible and memorize the promises that are meaningful to you.

When you are having difficulty, find a promise that speaks to your circumstance and stand on it like Norman Williams did. Keep reminding God of His promise and thank Him for the answer that will come.