Mark 11:23-24 Lexham English Bible
23 Truly I say to you that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.24 For this reason I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be done for you.
The word mountain is the Greek word oros and it means mountain — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill . There are things in our life that seem like mountains or Goliaths. They are circumstances and obstacles that we face that are intimidating and overwhelming. They seem impossible and the devil would try to even convince us of that. He will try to paralyze and nullify our faith through discouragement and doubt. For it if stand in front of the Himalayas Mountains they can even seem immovable or insurmountable.
But is Jesus having us focus on literal mountains here? Does Jesus want us to walk around to physical mountains and command geography to be moved? I believe the answer is no. Jesus is teaching a very important principle when it comes to prayer and faith. Jesus says does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen. In the Greek the word doubt also means waver. When unbelief is present, it nullifies the work of God. We see this during Jesus ministry when He went into His hometown of Nazareth and was not able to do many miracles because of the unbelief of the people. When Jesus raised the young girl from the dead, before He did He removed the unbelievers from the room and was left with the girl’s parents and His inner circle.
Jesus says that if we will not doubt but believe it will be done. When faith is combined with the word of God, the power of God is released to accomplish the purposes and will of God. We don’t speak things into existence. There are some who would claim that if we just keep speaking something it will come to pass. That if we speak it enough, God will move and answer. But it is very important we understand that our prayers must be according to the will of God. We must be surrendered to the will of God. Our prayers must align with the will of God. There is only one who has the power to create and that is Yahweh, God Almighty. He has given us kingdom authority and He lives within us through The Holy Spirit. But when we believe and combine faith with the word of God, His authority and power is released to accomplish His purposes.
Jesus says this is the reason why He says whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be done for you. Why is prayer answered? Because it combines faith with the word of God. It is impossible to please God without faith. Has God changed? The answer is no. Does God still heal, restore, transform, raise from the dead, deliver, cast out demons, and demonstrate His power and authority? The answer is yes. He desires to glorify His name through us. He desires that we would be people of deep prayer who bring every battle and trial to Him. When we bring all things to God in prayer, we are placing the battle in His hands. When we fail to pray we are trying to accomplish the will and purpose of God in our own strength and we will fail miserable. But when we pray, when we believe, when we don’t doubt, what we have prayed for we will receive according to the will of God.
May we be a people of deep faith and prayer. May we truly hold fast to the word of God and simply believe what His word says. May we not focus on the mountain before us but understand our God is greater than the mountain. May we speak to the mountains in our lives and command them to be moved in the name of Jesus. Everything we do is for His glory and His honor.
Prayer
Father lead and guide me into a deeper prayer life. Fill my life with your Spirit and may my heart and mind be one with yours. May I see the mountains before me as you see them. Father increase my faith. Help me to truly trust and believe. Guard my heart and mind from all doubt and unbelief. Father may your will be done and may my life be used to glorify and honor you.
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