Speak To The Mountain
When something seems insurmountable, beyond our means or difficult, figuratively speaking, we call it a mountain. In every one of our lives, we have mountains. Some seem so impossible that we try to avoid the climb, by going around them; only to find ourselves in the same place we started. Mountains must be overcome or removed so we can go on with our lives. When faced with a mountain, the tendency is to ask for help, whether from God or others. So quickly we disqualify ourselves from being able to do it on our own. The deadline may be weeks ahead, or the payment due only the next month, but we panic and call out for help. In these times of crisis, we may even fast and pray more, so as to convince God of the urgency of our need. Does the white knight come to our rescue? Does the lastminute miracle happen? Maybe, or maybe not. There are no guarantees, because what God is looking for is a faith response.
Faith works this way: Believe and speak. In Mark 11.22, it says: “Have faith in God”. In the original text, the word “in” is not there. So, it should read, “have faith God”, or “have God’s faith”. In verse 23, it goes on to explain how this kind of faith works. Let me highlight some important words. “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Abraham, the father of faith, believed in the promise of God and “called that which was not as though it were.” (Romans 4.17) God spoke creation into existence. This is the God kind of faith.
In this verse, believe is used once and to speak is used three times. Most people believe, but their speaking does not agree with their believing. They believe in healing, but they spend their time talking about their sickness. They believe that God will provide all their needs, but they complain about the bills and high cost of living. Proverbs 6.2 warns us that we are ensnared by our own words. Never talk defeat or failure, your life depends on it. Proverbs 18.21, reminds us the life and death are in the power of the tongue. Instead of talking about the problem, talk to the problem.
You cannot believe that your words will come to pass, if you are not a person of your word. When you lie, you destroy your own faith. Some people lie to be nice, like: “So glad to see you”, when they are not. Or, “I’m great”, when they are not. Saying you’ll do something and you don’t, make up lame excuses when you are late, are lies. Even the littlest of lies, or “white lies”, undermines our ability to believe that what we say will come to pass. This way of speaking has become so common, that many do not even realize they are lying. The consequence is that when faced with a mountain, they panic or fall into despair and depression.
Faith is always in the present tense. Abraham believed that he was a father of many nations, before he had his first son. He didn’t believe that one day he will be a father. His name was changed to conform to this promise. Every time his name was used it spoke of the reality of his faith. God is the “I AM”, always present. So, don’t put off having real faith for some future date. With your believing, add faith words. Instead of running around the mountain or from it, speak to it.
Scriptures to mediate on:
Mark 11.22-24; 16.17; Romans 4.17; 10.8-10; Prov. 6.2; 18.21; Psalms 107.20