“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)
Introduction
Welcome to the 8th month of our year of Brand-New Beginnings (Isaiah 43:19). This month’s theme is “Mountain Movers” (Matthew 17:20). Biblically, the number 8 speaks of new beginnings. I decree joy, favor, abundance, breakthrough, and laughter into your life, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Nothing shall be impossible for you. Go forth, possess your territory, and manifest God’s glory. Amen!
The Crisis of Trust
A man bought a new GPS because he was tired of getting lost, yet he ignored its directions on his first trip. Frustrated, he blamed the GPS. His wife replied, “The GPS knows where to go; you just don’t trust it enough to follow it.” Many Christians treat God the same way. He says, “Forgive,” “Give,” and “Trust Me,” but we cling to offense, fear, lack, and focus on circumstances. The issue is rarely God’s power; it is often our faith.
When the disciples failed to cast out a demon, Jesus pointed to their faith, not the size or source of the problem. Our greatest battles are often won or lost by the strength of our faith, not the size of the mountain.
What are Mountains? Identifying the Obstacles to Promise
In Scripture, mountains represent obstacles that seem impossible to overcome—barriers between us and God’s promises. They appear in many forms:
- Mountains of Sickness: The woman with the issue of blood, and Blind Bartimaeus in darkness.
- Mountains of Financial Lack: The widow of Zarephath and the prophet’s widow facing creditors.
- Mountains of Fear: Israel’s army trembling while David faced Goliath.
- Mountains of Delay: Abraham waiting for Isaac, and Hannah enduring barrenness.
- Mountains of Sin, Bondage, and Opposition: Nehemiah facing Sanballat and Tobiah while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.
Your mountain may be unemployment, infertility, depression, marital conflict, ministry stagnation, immigration delays, or business failure. Whatever stands between you and God’s promise is a mountain.
What is Faith? The Mechanics of Believing God
To move mountains, we must understand faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” F-A-I-T-H means:
- F – Forsaking human reasoning
- A – Accepting God’s Word
- I – Ignoring impossible circumstances
- T – Trusting God completely
- H – Holding on until the promise comes
Faith is not a feeling; it is a decision to take God at His Word, even when we do not understand how He will do it.
How Much Faith is Needed? Quality Over Quantity
Many think they need giant faith before facing challenges, but Jesus said faith “as small as a mustard seed” can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). A mustard seed is tiny but alive, and living faith grows. The issue is not the size of your faith, but the greatness of the God you trust.
What Has Faith Accomplished? The Hall of Faith and Modern Exploits
Scripture is filled with people who overcame the impossible by faith.
The Biblical Record: Noah built the ark, Abraham obeyed without knowing his destination, Moses parted the Red Sea, Joshua saw Jericho fall, David defeated Goliath, Elijah called down fire, Daniel survived lions, and Peter walked on water.
Hebrews 11 says that through faith they subdued kingdoms, stopped lions’ mouths, quenched fire, escaped the sword, gained strength, and became mighty in battle. Faith still moves mountains today.
- George Müller trusted God to care for over 10,000 orphans without asking for support.
- Smith Wigglesworth saw remarkable healings through faith in Christ.
- Billy Graham preached the Gospel to more than 200 million people worldwide.
- Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission while trusting God for every need.
- Pastor E.A. Adeboye trusted God for the impossible, and RCCG now reaches over 190 nations.
The faith that moved mountains in Bible days is still available today.
How Do I Build and Increase My Faith?
Faith is like a muscle—it grows with use. The Bible says: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
To develop mountain-moving faith, practice these Five Faith Builders:
- Hear God’s Word Daily – Read, study, and confess the Scriptures.
- Pray Daily – Faith grows in God’s presence.
- Exercise Your Faith – Act on God’s Word; faith without works is dead.
- Remember Past Victories – Like David, recall how God has delivered you before.
- Stay Around Faith-Filled People – Faith is contagious, but so is unbelief.
Keep believing, obeying, and speaking God’s promises, even before circumstances change. Do not let today’s discouragement rob you of tomorrow’s miracle.
Conclusion – Speak to the Mountain
Jesus did not promise a life without mountains; He gave us the authority to move them. Do not admire, complain about, or negotiate with your mountain—speak to it in faith. Let it hear about the greatness of your God. “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Let us rise in faith as mountain movers.
Prayers
- Every ancestral mountain of stubborn delay and generational stagnation standing between me and my breakthrough, I command you by the authority of the split Red Sea: scatter by fire, in the Name of Jesus!
- You spirit of unbelief and structural doubt anchoring my life to past disappointments, loose your grip and clear out of my mind now, in the Name of Jesus!
- Every satanic conspiracy designed to build mountains of financial lack and professional failure around my destiny, catch fire and burn to ashes, in the Name of Jesus!
- The power to walk through the fires of life without being burned, drop upon my spirit man today, in the Name of Jesus!
- O Lord, activate within me the spiritual aggression needed to command my mountains to move and enforce my total victory, in the Name of Jesus!
