Speak to the Mountain part 1
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” ~ Mark 11:23
Have you ever noticed how mountains seem to have a way of getting all your attention? It’s hard to focus on anything else when a giant obstacle is standing right in front of you. Mountains don’t politely step aside and let you enjoy the view. They seem to say, “Everybody stop what you are doing and only look at me!” Thankfully, in today’s scripture reading, Jesus had something to say about mountains and how to deal with them.
For years I struggled with this verse. It always seemed too big and unattainable for me to grasp, mostly because I was focused on the mountain. Isn’t that what we all tend to do when trouble comes? We see the problem, the obstacle, or the impossible situation. It captures our attention and seems to block our view of everything else. That’s exactly what the enemy wants. If he can keep our eyes on the problem, he can distract us from God’s promises and purpose at that time.
Here’s what usually happened in my life. First, I’d spend some time running straight into the mountain. Then I’d try to figure out a way around it, unsuccessfully I might add. If Plan A didn’t work, I’d try Plan B, then Plan C, and somewhere around Plan Q I’d finally decide to ask God for help.
My prayer about the mountain usually sounded something like this:
“Lord, I have this huge mountain in front of me. It’s so big I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything I know, but nothing is working. Please do something.”
Then I’d pray that same prayer again the next day, and probably the day after that. I thought I was doing the spiritual thing. After all, I was talking to God, and He certainly could handle my mountain problem.
Then one day I noticed something I had overlooked in this passage. Jesus didn’t tell me to spend all my time talking to God about the size of the mountain. He told me to speak directly to the mountain.
Wait…what?
I’m supposed to talk to my problems? That didn’t make any sense to me and I wasn’t used to speaking God’s Word directly into difficult situations.
Then it finally clicked. Those mountains aren’t just obstacles. They’re opportunities to use the weapon God has already placed in our hands and heart, His Word. The sword of the Spirit wasn’t given to us to decorate the shelf. It was given to us to cut through the obstacles that life places in front of us.
Now, instead of focusing on the mountain, I begin speaking God’s promises over the situation. If I’m facing financial pressure, I declare, “My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” as He already said in Philippians 4:19.
If anxiety tries to take over, I remind myself, “I let the peace of God rule in my heart, to which I am also called, and I am thankful” from Colossians 3:15.
If sickness attempts to gain ground, I proclaim, “The Lord forgives all my iniquities and heals all my diseases” as promised in Psalm 103:3.
The mountain may still be standing for a while, but now it hears something different. It hears the promises of God instead of what I was afraid of.
Here are a few practical ways to begin speaking to your mountain today.
- Identify the biggest mountain you’re facing right now.
- Find two or three Bible verses that speak directly to that situation.
- Write those verses on a card, in a notebook, or on your phone where you’ll see them often.
- Speak those promises out loud every day with confidence and thank the Lord for them.
- When fear or doubt try to creep in, answer it with God’s Word instead of your emotions.
- Thank God daily that He is already working, even before you see the mountain move.
God never intended for His children to be intimidated by mountains. He has given us His Word, His authority, and His promises so we can face every obstacle with confidence.
Whether you realize it or not, your circumstances are speaking to you every day. They tell you there isn’t enough, those symptoms mean you’re sick, your situation will never change, or something terrible is going to happen to the people you love. Those thoughts may be loud, but they are not the final authority. God’s Word is. Don’t let your circumstances have the last word. Talk back to them with the truth of God’s promises and declare what He says instead of what your feelings or circumstances are trying to convince you is true.
Today I want to encourage you to stop measuring your mountain and start declaring God’s promises over it. Spend less time describing the problem and more time speaking what God has already said. Every promise in His Word reminds you that He is greater than any obstacle you’ll ever face. As you continue to speak His truth with faith, you’ll discover that mountains don’t move because they’re impressed with us. They move because they must respond to the authority of God’s Word. Keep speaking, keep believing, and watch as the Lord makes a way where there once seemed to be no way.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 11:20 – 24
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Journal:
- What mountain has captured most of my attention recently?
- Have I spent more time talking about the problem or speaking God’s promises over it?
- What Scriptures can I begin declaring over my situation this week?
- How would my conversations change if I focused more on God’s promises than my obstacles?
- What step of faith can I take today that demonstrates I’m trusting God to move my mountain?
The Daily Dose 