Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Jesus is helping his disciples, here, understand the dynamic power of God and the communication tool of prayer with God, so they can understand and know his heart.
God is all-powerful. So it goes to reason that the closer we get to understanding the heart of God, the more Godly power can be exercised through us.
If God’s will is to have a tree cast into a lake to keep it from falling on someone, or to demonstrate his power over creation in another way, then he could use us to do this.
This is not a license to ask God, like a genie, to do anything. It is an example of the immense power of God to accomplish anything he will through us.
Bible Examples:
- Elijah called down fire from heaven through prayer to win a “contest of the gods” with the Baal priests.
- The church prayed for Peter and John to be released from prison, and an angel walked them out.
My Examples:
- God caused my broken hand not to hurt when set at age five, after I specifically prayed for this very thing.
- God raised $43,000 and helped me rent out the Idaho Center, gain nationally renowned speakers, and have a turnout to honor local police during the Covid riots. All in just 45 days. He told me to do it.
What are your examples?
God stories are everywhere. We just don’t ask enough to hear them. Some are big, others are small. Some involve the best thing — lives saved for eternity. Others provide, encourage, uplift, and free people from oppression, sickness or disability.
The challenge Jesus is leveling to us here is this: Will you draw so close to God and be faithful to obey him, so that your faith will grow, and you can move mountains in your life and the lives of those around you?
Lord, thank you for this promise that you have given us access to mountain-moving power. It comes through understanding your will and heart. It is not a flippant command, but a prayerful obedience. Teach me to hear you more and act.
