I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? Psalms 121:1 (NIV)
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
The closest mountain to me is Kennesaw Mountain, a very small part of the Appalachian Mountains range. While it is small compared to something like the Andes, it is still large enough that it would be inconceivable for me to move it. The point I am trying to make is that no matter how large or small the mountain is, it blocks our view and serves as a boundary that makes crossing over it seem impossible. Faith in Jesus, even small faith, can move mountains.
It is not a coincidence that hiking is a hobby. Why? Because people like a challenge. Once you conquer the mountain, you feel the rush of accomplishment. You get to look out and see the broad landscape below. Likewise, when your faith brings you through a situation, you feel the accomplishment that comes from God.
God gives us several examples of mountains and faith being used in scripture. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Moses being given the Ten Commandments on the mountain, and Abraham leading Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice Him are a few examples. All of these passages of scripture include an aspect of faith.
Unless you are on top of the mountain, it blocks you from seeing what is on the other side. In the same way, problems or situations in our lives block us from seeing God working in and through us. Psalm 121:1 tells us to look to the hills or mountains, depending on which translation you read. God knows we cannot see past the mountain, which is why we need to look up so that we can see Him. The next verse says, “my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Simply stated, He created the mountains, therefore He has the ability to move them.
Matthew 17:20 teaches us about the power of faith in God when we face mountains in our lives. This verse comes after the disciples were unable to drive a demon out of a boy. Jesus rebuked the demon and explained that their lack of faith was the reason they had been unable to do the same. As we go through life, we should have faith in God. Faith can change how we see the obstacles before us. Faith gives us endurance to climb or cross the mountain. Faith reminds us that what seems impossible to us is possible with God, the Creator of the universe. We may not always see the mountain removed in the way we expect, but we can trust God to give us the strength, wisdom, and perseverance to face what stands before us.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the mountains You have already removed. I put my trust in you to move the mountains ahead. I know nothing is too hard for You, so help me to have endurance to overcome all obstacles in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.