August 30
From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Power of Faith – Part 3

“Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”         (Matthew 17:20b)

What is Jesus referring to here? Is He talking about moving a literal mountain? The expression “able to move mountains” was a common figure of speech in that day, which represented the ability to surmount great obstacles. So Jesus was talking about mountain-sized difficulties and problems, such as the disciples had just experienced in not being able to cure the demon-possessed boy.

The promise “nothing will be impossible to you” is conditional, valid only within the framework of God’s will. Mountain-moving faith is faith in God. Jesus’ point was “nothing will be impossible to you when you prayerfully and persistently trust in Me.” The disciples could not heal the demon-possessed boy because they did not persist in dependent prayer.

19th century Christian leader George Mueller provides a good example of persistent prayer. Early in his ministry, he began praying for 5 friends. Five years later one of them came to Christ. After 5 more years, 2 more became Christians, and after 25 years the 4th man was saved. He prayed for the 5th friend until the time of his death, a few months after which the last friend came to salvation. For that friend, George Mueller had prayed for more than 50 years!

Ask Yourself:
How have you seen this “nothing will be impossible” promise misinterpreted to mean something much different, much more self-serving than Jesus’ assurance of His own unlimited power in the submitted, believing heart? What makes us want to turn this into a magic lamp?