Mountain Moving Faith – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #86 for September 6, 2023

Welcome to the 86th edition of Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute!

We began these weekly talks on January 26, 2022. I trust you are being blessed! 

We read in Matthew 17:19:
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Unbelief is a major obstacle to doing the works of Jesus.

Jesus did what the disciples were unable to do. He successfully ministered to the man’s son. When the disciples asked Him, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” Jesus plainly stated, “Because of your unbelief.”

How could the disciples operate in unbelief if they obviously “believed in” ministering to oppressed people? Clearly, they tried to help the man’s son, but were not successful.

For Christ followers, unbelief is not rejecting the truth. It is not failing to believe the Bible, or not believing in God. It is not even a lack of conviction about what God can do.

Example: Consider an athlete who high jumps who has leaped over seven feet on many occasions. He “believes” that he can jump over seven feet because he has done it many times. What if the athlete stops practicing? What if he loses his discipline and joy of training?  If then he attempts to high jump seven feet, but repeatedly fails to make the height, we have an example of unbelief.

Unbelief is an inability to do what needs to be done because fallen out of practice in the things of God.  It is a lack of faith with corresponding action. As the Bible says, “Faith without works (or corresponding action) is dead, being alone.” (James 2:20)

What is the solution to the problem of “unbelief” of believers or inability to do he works of God? Jesus answer was plainly stated, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

“This kind” is not referring to a special kind of demon, but to “this kind” of faith and relationship with God that is developed through prayer and fasting.

Praying and fasting does not “move God” towards us, it moves us towards God. Nothing in God needs to move or change. Everything in us needs to move or change.

There is no magic about prayer and fasting. It is effective because prayer and fasting helps us clear obstacles to our faith and faith-filled actions. Fasting is more than not eating, it is a season of denying conveniences, choices, appetites, and desires for other things, in order to place full emphasis on God.

Whatever helps us focus on God, helps us walk in faith, understand the Bible better, be more sensitive to the Spirit and much more. This is like the high jumper who stays in shape and continues to practice—never taking past achievements for granted.

Obviously, fasting is not eating, but it is also an overall focus on drawing closer to God by removing personal and environmental obstacles. If a person fasted food, but spent the whole day watching movies or playing video games, this would be a worthless fast from a spiritual perspective.

Develop your faith and eliminate your unbelief by strengthening your relationship with God through prayer and fasting.