God's Faithfulnessნიმუში

Faith in His faithfulness

We sometimes find ourselves despairing at our lack of faith. Some days might be better than others, suggesting our faith goes up and down. And this further suggests that such variability arouses God’s displeasure. Little wonder we feel distant; little wonder that our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling.

If we feel like this, we need to rethink the whole idea of faith. Faith is all about trusting in whatever is the object of our faith. I might have lots of faith in my ability to flap my arms so as to fly. Or great faith in my ability to perform complex brain surgery. But such faith is worthless because its object is unsound. Trying to psyche ourselves up into having greater faith is an exercise in futility. Faith does not depend on our feelings at any given time. Faith depends on its object. And true faith involves trusting in the proven faithfulness of God. I don’t try to have faith in my own faith, or faith that God will do something specific if I ask Him boldly enough. I trust in His character, His goodness, His love, His wisdom.

When Jesus’ disciples asked for an increase in their faith, Jesus told them a tiny mustard seed of faith could move mountains. In other words, the quantity of our faith is not relevant. It is the quality of its object that matters. Faith is increased not by our boosting up our feelings, but by a deeper grasp of the faithfulness of God.

In the end, it is not great faith in God that we need, but faith in a great God.

Written by DAVID REAY