19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn't we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Jesus states like Words a few chapters later after the remarkable withering fig tree miracle of which the disciples marveled over:
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matt 21:20-22 (NIV)
It is just as important to state what these verses do not mean as it is to state what they do mean. These are not to be thought of as sitting on Santa’s lap verses where we name and claim our every desire and whim and expect God to bring it forth – pronto! God is not a genie - ever desirous of fulfilling our every wants – things outside of His perfect will for our lives. No matter if we have the greatest faith going. Many received a “No” from earnest prayer in Scripture – our Lord Jesus included – yet it was always for a far greater “Yes”. I am reminded of Paul’s words to us in 2 Corinthians:
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV)
Paul learned the lesson from his experience that the brightness of Divine power is best displayed against the backdrop of the blackness of human weakness - the darker the backdrop, the brighter the shine. Like a diamond on black velvet. This, of course, brings glory to God alone. The One Who gives the power gets the glory. Rather than taking Paul’s problem away – which as humans we long for Him to do - Paul included - God gave him the grace sufficient to meet his need. He will do this for every other believer as well. We need never worry – His promise is that His grace is always sufficient – actually, it is more than sufficient. We must never doubt the power and promises of God. What He has promised, He must certainly bring about. As certain as the promise is, our faith should be as confident. It pleases the Father when His children stand up for Him when circumstances in their lives appear to belie Him. We are not to be double-minded or vacillating people – ever wondering if He is going to pull through for us or not. James tells us:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8 (NIV)
The last statement from Jesus in our verses for today - “Nothing will be impossible for you” – impacts me. I have always considered it in a positive light – the “Yes” answers. But what about the “No’s”? Wouldn’t they be included in the “Nothing” as well? Meaning, whatever He bids me to go through, for my good and His glory, will not be impossible for me through His strength to accomplish – no sickness, no loss, no loneliness, no financial setback, no death – whatever mountain He calls me to move. You get my drift - through His love, grace and power nothing will be impossible for the believer in Jesus – though the world may crumble and fall apart the believer stands. Why? Because the God of all creation suffers right along with us – He is a “with us” God. He is not only the Lord of our harvests but He is the Lord of our storms as well.
“He shares the grief with us and reasoning is cold and His embrace is warm.” Ann Voskamp
“God wants us to be victors, not victims...to overcome, not to be overwhelmed.” William Arthur Word
“Faith is a living and unshakeable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.” Martin Luther
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Tim 1:12 (NIV)