Chats with Cala

The Object of Faith

When it’s time to trade off the old car, we have a checklist of things we need and want. First of all, we want a vehicle that is trustworthy--dependable and durable, then we look for things like power, economy, comfort and a few bells and whistles. The next step is to gather information along these lines. When we are satisfied that we have found the best car to meet our needs, we locate a dealer and go for a test drive.

Let’s compare this process to faith in God, not just the initial faith at our salvation experience, but our trust and reliance on God day by day. Part of the process is doing the research. We don’t need to go online; all the information we need is in the Bible. But is research enough for most people?

Would I be satisfied to buy a car on the merits of research alone? No, I need to go for a test drive. So, let’s put God to the test. We need to find out for ourselves if all the information we have gathered about Him will work for us. However, this is no quick spin around the block. This test drive takes a lifetime. We will learn along the way how God works on our behalf to get us through when the road gets steep or when storms make the course dangerous or when obstacles block our passage. We will learn how He can give us the comfort, strength and endurance we need for the trip and guidance to stay on the right road.

On a trip across the sea, Jesus called Peter, “O ye of little faith.” He wanted to walk on the water to Jesus, but began to sink as he became concerned about the wind and high waves around them. That was because Peter had little experience with Him. But when he and the disciples saw Jesus work a miracle, their faith increased. Their faith grew because they knew Jesus could help them. He was more powerful than the storm.

It is not so much that we learn great faith, but we learn that we have a great God. It is not our faith we rely on. That would be like relying on ourselves. That can cause our faith to waver or cause us to doubt that we have enough faith or the right kind of faith. It is what we put our faith in--the object of our faith.

So, let’s go for a test drive. We’ll see God at work, and prove for ourselves that God is powerful, trustworthy, and dependable.

Scriptures to Ponder: Psalm 34:8; Matthew 14:22-33