“If you have
faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you can say unto this mountain,
‘remove from here to yonder place’; and it will remove; and nothing will be
impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20 SyS translation)
Humans like the idea
of “no impossibles.” We like to go anywhere at anytime without any
obstacles. We like this concept of speaking and the obstructing mountain being
moved. Yet, there is more to the speaking-moving idea that we must not ignore.
Here in Matthew’s
narrative, Jesus says, “because of your unbelief” the mountain didn’t
remove. In chapter 21, he said, it takes “faith without doubting” to
cast the mountain in the sea. In Mark 11, Jesus says that the speaker must be
convinced “that those things which he speaks will come to pass.”
narrative, Jesus says, “because of your unbelief” the mountain didn’t
remove. In chapter 21, he said, it takes “faith without doubting” to
cast the mountain in the sea. In Mark 11, Jesus says that the speaker must be
convinced “that those things which he speaks will come to pass.”
Yet, it seems to me
that the crucial issue is found in Matthew 17:21. Jesus said, “However, it
takes prayer and fasting to achieve this.” While Matthew’s specific
context concerns casting out devils, the spiritual preparation imposed by the
Lord must apply to both the faith and the removal of the mountain.
that the crucial issue is found in Matthew 17:21. Jesus said, “However, it
takes prayer and fasting to achieve this.” While Matthew’s specific
context concerns casting out devils, the spiritual preparation imposed by the
Lord must apply to both the faith and the removal of the mountain.
Mountain-moving
faith is the wonderful consequence of sitting in the presence of God. Getting
in his presence requires personal sacrifice. But, when we sit at his feet, our
faith is empowered, no matter its size. There is something about his presence
that destroys doubt and unbelief. And best of all, fellowship with him
convinces us that nothing is impossible to God, therefore nothing is impossible
to us.
faith is the wonderful consequence of sitting in the presence of God. Getting
in his presence requires personal sacrifice. But, when we sit at his feet, our
faith is empowered, no matter its size. There is something about his presence
that destroys doubt and unbelief. And best of all, fellowship with him
convinces us that nothing is impossible to God, therefore nothing is impossible
to us.
In our world of
addictions, abuse, sexual immoralities, hard-hearted selfishness, and plain old
sinful lifestyles we need mountain-moving faith.
addictions, abuse, sexual immoralities, hard-hearted selfishness, and plain old
sinful lifestyles we need mountain-moving faith.
Dear Father, thank
you for a faith that moves mountains. Empower us to fast and pray until we are
full of mountain-moving faith. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for a faith that moves mountains. Empower us to fast and pray until we are
full of mountain-moving faith. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today with mountain-moving faith,
courageous today with mountain-moving faith,