Read: Mark 11:19-33
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:22-24
God is bigger than any mountain you may face. He answers prayers made in faith.
Jesus had cursed the fig tree which had leaves but no fruit (Mark 11:13). The tree was cursed for its pretense of leaves, not for its lack of fruit. This tree was cursed because it professed to have fruit, but did not. God is displeased when we have the appearance of fruit but not the fruit itself. As they pass by the tree the next day, Peter notes that the tree that Jesus cursed the previous day had withered away. And Jesus explained that this miracle was really a result of prayer made in faith and encouraged His marveling disciples to have this kind of faith.
Mountain was a popular figure of speech for any insurmountable problem. Jesus said as we believe, God can overcome any obstacle. Our God who parted the Red Sea, and raised Jesus from the dead, is more than able to move any mountain that you and I could encounter. But prayer is to be made in faith and the faith is to be in God, not our feelings, emotions, or anything else. Understanding that this passage doesn’t mean God is obligated to grant our every request without discernment is crucial. It is not about having faith in faith or relying solely on our feelings. True faith is rooted in God’s character and promises. As Wiersbe says, that is not to interpret Mark 11:24 to mean that “if you pray hard enough and believe, God is obligated to answer your prayer no matter what you ask. That kind of faith is not faith in God; it is nothing but faith in faith or feelings.”
We pray in faith to a God who is more than able to overcome any obstacle that you and I may face. All things are possible with our God (Matthew 19:26). We pray without doubt and void of unbelief. “Whosoever shall say to this mountain, this Mount of Olives, be removed and cast into the sea. If he has but any word of God, general or particular to build his faith upon, and if he shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said, according to the warrant he has from what God hath said, shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he said through the strength and power of God in Christ Jesus, the greatest difficulty shall be gotten over and the thing shall be effected.” (Matthew Henry).
Consider the mountains you may be facing today ”whether it’s a rebellious child, a challenging relationship, financial struggles, addiction, oppression, or the salvation of a loved one. Instead of being overwhelmed by fear and doubt, would you turn to God who is bigger than any mountain? Persist in faith-filled prayer, knowing that He is able to move and overcome the impossible.
In what areas of my life am I pretending to have fruitfulness but lacking true substance? Do I truly believe in the power of prayer and have faith that God can truly overcome any obstacle in my life? What specific promises or words from God’s Word can I anchor my faith upon when praying for the impossible? What “mountains” am I currently facing and how am I responding to them? Am I overwhelmed by fear and doubt or do I persist in faith-filled prayer?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help me grow in faith reflecting a life of fruitfulness in You I pray, amen.
Scripture Writing: Matthew 19:26
Song: God is Bigger than Any Mountain
For more daily devotions like this – At the Potter’s Wheel (Kindle)
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