Mountains Will Move

1. The Foundation (Introduction)

The theme of the song "Mountains Will Move" is rooted in a profound biblical principle: the power of faith to bring about miraculous change. The foundational scripture is Matthew 17:20, which reads, "Truly I tell you, 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." Mark 11:23 echoes this, affirming that if you speak to a mountain and do not doubt, it shall be done. The Word of God places emphasis on the unwavering faith that activates divine intervention.

2. The Historical & Biblical Context

The statement in Matthew 17:20 arises from an interaction between Jesus and His disciples. After failing to cast a demon out of a boy, they approached Jesus privately, questioning their inability. Jesus responded earnestly, revealing the secret to divine competence: faith. This event illuminates the spiritual authority granted to believers and the limitations imposed by doubt. The metaphor of the mountain—a symbol of imposing obstacles—is used to illustrate that no hindrance is beyond the capacity of faith empowered by God's authority.

Mark 11:23 and Matthew 21:22 record Jesus teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem, days before His crucifixion. It was a time of spiritual climax, where Jesus urgently desired His disciples to understand the magnitude of faith they possessed. These verses teach the efficacy of faith in prayer, emphasizing belief without wavering as a critical component of effective petitioning.

3. Word Study (Hebrew/Greek)

Let us consider the Greek word "pistis," translated as "faith." The core meaning of "pistis" is a conviction of the truth of anything, particularly reliance upon Christ for salvation. This form of faith is active, not passive. It involves trust so profound that the believer acts in expectation of God's fulfillment of His promises.

Another key word is "doubt," from the Greek "diakrinō," meaning to separate thoroughly or discriminate. This deepens our understanding of the song's directive to "believe without a doubt." In the context of mountains moving, it is not merely the absence of doubt but the presence of a vigorous, confident faith that dares to act on God's promises despite visible circumstances.

4. Theological Exposition

### Faith and Mountains

The song begins by quoting Jesus' declaration that if one speaks to a mountain and believes, it will be cast into the sea. This directive is not about the physical relocation of geological formations but rather the removal of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Biblically, mountains often symbolize formidable challenges or opposition (Zechariah 4:7).

Cross-referencing with Hebrews 11:1, we find "faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." The song highlights this assurance. Faith, however small (as a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds known in first-century Palestine), is powerful enough to enact the impossible.

### Speak and Believe

The repetition of the phrase, "speak to the mountain, believe without a doubt," underscores prayer's spoken nature and the assurance required. As stated in Psalm 33:9, "For He spoke, and it came to be." Words, empowered by belief and God's Spirit, wield creative power. The New Testament confirms this in James 5:16, where it asserts that "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

### Against Impossibilities

The reiteration that "nothing will be impossible" aligns with Luke 1:37, which proclaims, "For no word from God will ever fail." As believers confront their "mountains," understanding faith's scope asserts dominion over circumstances aligned against God's promises.

5. Practical Application: How to Walk This Out

### First, we must recognize our authority in Christ.

Ephesians 2:6 tells us that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms." Our position in Christ empowers us to execute His will on earth. We have heavenly authority backing our earthly proclamations.

### Second, cultivate a lifestyle of faith.

Romans 10:17 declares, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ." Immerse yourself in Scripture, nurture your faith through testimonies of God's faithfulness, and make declarations with full conviction.

### Third, confront your mountains with faith-infused declarations.

Identify the "mountains" in your life. Whether they be struggles, doubts, or fears, boldly speak God's Word to them. Empowered by the Spirit, proclaim promises that counteract the obstacles you face.

### Fourth, maintain an unwavering belief in God's capability.

In Mark 9:23, Jesus says, "Everything is possible for one who believes." Persist with the understanding that faith requires no evidence except God's immutable character and promises.

6. A Proclamation & Prayer

Proclamation:

I proclaim that through the authority given to me in Christ, every mountain before me must move. I speak with the faith purchased through the cross, and I declare: "Move from here to there." I hold fast to the truth that nothing is impossible with God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I approach You with the confidence of a child assured of Your love and power. Grant me the faith that moves mountains, the steadfast trust without doubt, and the courage to declare Your promises over every challenge I face. Let my words align with Your will as I submit to Your authority. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen.