January 1, 2012 - Pastor Doug Caister
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Matthew 17.14-21, Psalm 97.1-5
Everyone will ultimately face mountains of some kind in their life. When I say mountain, obviously I am not talking about literal mountains. But its some obstacle preventing forward progress towards something good. Odds are you may be standing in the shadow of a mountain right now. What do you do?
Now in over 20 years of formal ministry, I’ve witnessed both in scripture and in ministry different reactions to mountains (some my own!). Some people will tremble in the shadow of the mountain. The mountain looks so large and intimidating they get paralyzed with fear or worry. Others will gripe when facing their mountain. They will stand there and grumble or complain about the mountain's inconveniencing their plans. Others will hype themselves up. Instead of trembling or complaining, they attack the mountain saying something like, "I'm going to conquer this thing!". Then there are those who stall or give up. They tried and tried, but just could not do it, so they stall out. Tremble, gripe, hype or stall.
Stalling was probably the disciples' problem. Its not the first time they tried to heal someone tormented by a demon, because Jesus had sent them out before as part of His training for them (Mark 6.7-13). But this time they could not do it. Why? Negatively It might have been the disciples were placing their confidence in their past accomplishments or positively, it was another opportunity for Jesus to teach them a lesson.
When asked, Jesus told them it was a faith problem. In fact Jesus said, faith is so powerfully concentrated that only a mustard seed size is needed. So how do I find the faith to move a mountain? Faith comes by hearing the truth. So here is the truth when you are facing your mountain... its dust vs.solid rock. You are the dust and the mountain is solid rock. But Psalm 103.14 says that the LORD remembers we are but dust. God created Adam from the dust by breathing life into him (Genesis 2.7). The truth is when its dust vs mountain, the mountain wins every time.
That is why you must take your eyes off of the mountain and look to the glory of the Mountain Mover. Maybe you are like me when facing your mountain. My focus is on how this particular mountain is affecting me and my forward progress. Very rarely am I thinking about it from God's perspective or for for God's glory.
But look at John 14.12-14 as Jesus was teaching his disciples: "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" Jesus said they would do greater things than Jesus. Presumably because His work would be multiplied by at least twelve, but the purpose of the greater works was for the glory of God, not their own personal comfort of convenience.
Take your eyes off of the mountain and onto the glory of the Mountain Mover.
So how does that work? What does it look like? Number one, identify your mountain. Is it fear? Is it discouragement or depression? Is it anger or bitterness? Maybe its a difficult relationship or job situation or you just need a job! Perhaps some of your new year resolutions are related to it in some way. Identify your mountain.
Number two, Look to the glory of the Mountain Mover. Memorize Psalm 97.5, "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." Remind yourself that God can not only move mountains, but He can melt them! In the Old Testament, mountains are mentioned as a potential obstacle of a movement of God that either get out of the way or are knocked out of the way! (Psalm 114.1-4, Isaiah 40.3-5, 49.11)
Number three, in the glow of the glory of the Mountain Mover, begin to dream about what might be on the other side of the mountain. What could be the movement of God that would bring Him glory? For example, if I was no longer enslaved to fear, what would my life look like? How could it be a witness to the glory of God, the Mountain Mover?
Finally, celebrate God's ability to bring it about and ask Him for it. As I think about it, the ultimate mountain that God has removed in my life is the mountain of my sin that separated me from God the Father. I couldn't move that mountain no matter how hard I tried. My efforts or good deeds were useless - dust against the mountain. Jesus did something I could not do, He removed the vile mountain of my sin by His humiliating death on the cross for my sins and the sins of humanity. Now He is alive and that is not the only mountain he is capable of removing. He can move all of them! Maybe you need to place your faith in Christ to remove the mountain of your own sin and rebellion as you repent and give total control of your life to Him. Maybe its a different kind of mountain. Take your eyes off of your mountain and look to the glory of the Mountain Mover. Lets pray.
Further Reading:
- Mark 6.7-13
- Psalm 103.14
- Genesis 2.7
- John 14.12-14
- Psalm 114.1-4
- Isaiah 40.3-5
- Isaiah 49.11