(Read Matthew 17)
My wife and I have been praying, agonizing, and even shedding tears over her injured knee for what feels like an eternity—it’s been four months, maybe more. Throughout this time, she has endured countless diagnostic exams, endless appointments, braces, and a slew of medications, but nothing seemed to make any real difference. The hardest part, though, was the overwhelming uncertainty. There was no visible end in sight—no glimmer of hope shining through the dense, dark woods of her suffering.
Every morning, I’d ask Jennie how her knee was feeling, and it became something of a running joke between us. “The same as it was yesterday,” she’d reply with a weary smile. From late October through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, it took a toll on her usually bright and joyful spirit. Though she put on a brave face, the pain was evident despite her best efforts to hide it. She often reminded me that, compared to so many others, her situation was nothing. But pain is deeply personal and relative—it doesn’t lessen because others are suffering too. Most nights, just before dinner, we’d pray together, asking God for His will to be revealed through a clear diagnosis, healing, or, finally, a treatment plan. We knew our prayers were being heard. God listens and answers all prayers. We trust in that because He has promised us.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
This verse from the Prophet Isaiah beautifully captivates the deep intimacy and responsiveness that define the relationship between God and His people. It’s a timeless depiction that spans the past, present, and future. What is particularly reassuring is the powerful promise from God, offering blessings and restoration. In it, we witness God’s attentive care for His followers, showing His readiness to meet our needs even before we voice them. This reflects a profound and loving relationship—one where God’s presence is always near, always responding.
Isaiah also offered a sweeping vision of God’s ultimate redemption, painting a picture of an eventual new world where suffering, pain, and separation from God will be no more. Unlike human relationships, where requests often take time to be heard and answered, God’s response is sure and immediate. His willingness to respond even before we finish speaking reflects His deep love and care for His children. Though God already knows our needs, He still invites us to call upon Him in faith. This verse stands as a powerful encouragement for persistent prayer and a reminder to rely on God’s unwavering provision.
God desires an intimate relationship with us through prayer and profound faith. There are so many things He wants to share, show, and reveal to us. But you don’t share such things with people you don’t truly know.
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Matthew 17:1-2
Much of Jesus’ life can be seen as a rollercoaster ride, full of dramatic highs and lows. He experienced moments of incredible divine affirmation, followed by intense temptation, suffering, and even torture. His journey began with His baptism by John, where God publicly declared His blessing and favor. Yet, almost immediately after, Jesus was led into the desert, where He spent 40 days fasting and enduring the relentless temptation of Satan. Then came the unforgettable moment of the Transfiguration on the mountain, where Jesus’ true divine nature was revealed in a powerful way. The term “transfigured” (Greek: metamorphōthe) signifies more than just a temporary or symbolic change—it represents a genuine unveiling of His divine essence. The “shining face” and “clothes as white as light” symbolize His purity, holiness, and divine glory. In this moment, Jesus is revealed as the divine Son of God, transcending His earthly, humble appearance.
For Peter, James, and John, the “high mountain” experience was meant to have a profound and lasting impact, strengthening their faith and preparing them for the difficult days ahead—especially Jesus’ upcoming suffering, as well as the challenges they would face in their own journeys. Personally, I’ve known of God for most of my life and have been a Christian for over 24 years, yet sometimes I still struggle to fully grasp the eternal significance of who Jesus is, the price He paid for me, and the words He speaks to me. So, I’m not in a position to cast stones. I understand the struggle all too well.
“Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
Before researching this passage years ago, I began with the premise that mustard seeds were the tiniest of seeds and mustard trees were huge. They’re neither. Jesus spoke in ways people could understand. It’s not that mustard seeds are so small; it’s that they’re small, but they grow into mustard trees that can reach up to 25 feet tall. It was a metaphor of faith that can start out small and grow into something transformative that can move mountains.
Many scholars note that Jesus was infuriated by His disciples in this scene. They forgot who Jesus was, and at their weakest, He prevailed. Rather than relying on the power of the Divine Son of God, they had come to rely on their own abilities. Jesus’ reaction stemmed from the disciples’ failure to remember what they had just witnessed on the mountaintop: God’s divine affirmation of Jesus. In that powerful moment, they had seen God’s glory revealed, yet now, in their moment of weakness, they forgot who Jesus truly was.
Jesus didn’t teach that His followers can physically move Mount Everest to Africa, but rather that with faith, incredible things are possible. “Moving mountains” was a common Jewish expression at the time, symbolizing the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. In this context, Jesus urged His disciples to have faith that connects them with God—faith that opens the door to unexpected outcomes and results beyond human understanding. It’s about trusting in God’s power to transform situations we can’t always comprehend or foresee.
Faith helps people take another breath. It encourages them to wake up to another day. In a cellar of one of the concentration camps during World War II, these powerful words were written on a wall.
“I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I cannot feel it. I believe in God even when he is silent.”
How many of us have seen posts on social media like, “Pray for my [loved one] who committed suicide,” “Pray for my husband battling cancer,” or “Pray for my child traveling across the country for better medical care?” One person I follow on X, who has ALS, occasionally shares updates about her condition. Each time, I’ve prayed for her to have the strength and perseverance to face the challenges of her illness. I also pray, if it’s God’s will, that she will be healed. On several occasions, her friends have expressed gratitude for those prayers. Faith truly has the power to move mountains and bring about the impossible. Faith can do anything and everything.
John Calvin once wrote “God will never forsake us” if we keep the door open for receiving his grace.”
In January 2015, 14-year-old John Smith fell through the ice on Lake Saint Louise in Missouri and was submerged for 15 minutes. Rescuers couldn’t find a pulse, and John was declared dead for an hour. His mother, Joyce Smith, refused to give up hope. In the hospital room, as she saw her son’s lifeless body, she prayed fervently and unceasingly.
Miraculously, after an hour of CPR, with no heartbeat to be found, John regained a pulse. He was transported to the hospital, where he made a full recovery without any lasting effects from the accident. Remarkably, just 16 days later, he was released from the hospital. Against all odds, John’s survival and recovery defied medical expectations. His incredible story of faith, perseverance, and the power of prayer was later adapted into the 2019 movie Breakthrough.
Now attending university and majoring in Pastoral Studies, Smith reflects on the day that changed his life forever: “That was the day my life completely changed, and it was never the same after that.” He is also a motivational speaker, traveling across the country to share his story. “I go from school to school, from church to church, sharing with the world about God’s amazing power.” Truly, the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This highlights the importance of faith in our relationship with God.
Hebrews 11:6
It’s not just difficult to please God without faith; it’s impossible. Outward actions and religious rituals don’t earn His approval. What truly matters is our trust and reliance on Him. God takes our genuine faith seriously. So, where do we begin? The foundation of faith starts with believing in God’s existence—not as a distant concept or an abstract idea, but as a real, living being.
Next, we seek Him. Seeking God with our deepest fears and struggles doesn’t always mean they will disappear. The verse, “…He rewards those who earnestly seek Him,” is not a promise of prosperity or a life free from hardship. We will still experience suffering, and we will all eventually face death. However, in seeking God, praying to Him, and growing in our knowledge of Him, He becomes actively involved in our lives. Knowing God has profoundly changed my life. I went from merely knowing of Him to understanding His heart. My sins may stay with me at night, but with each new day, they are wiped away by His mercy.
Sometimes, a little faith is all it takes to start—just a small amount can lead to incredible outcomes. Today, Jennie received a diagnosis for her condition and, with it, a plan: a minimally invasive surgery followed by a light recovery. “Finally, there’s a plan,” she smiled. It’s not a guarantee of perfect health—she may not run a marathon anytime soon—but her outlook is brighter, filled with hope for something better.
Through it all, God heard our prayers. He can choose to heal or not to heal. but regardless, He can move mountains. Our faith in Him gave us hope during the uncertainty. Having faith in Him gave us hope during this entire journey. It gave us something to hang onto. Faith makes the impossible become possible. And when it does, He gets the glory.
“A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Key Applications:
- Anchor your life in faith, for it is the lens through which we come to truly understand God’s character, His promises, and His works.
- Come to God, not out of obligation or fear, but out of a sincere belief in His existence and Divinity. Seeking Him is an active pursuit—a desire to know Him more deeply and a willingness to follow His ways. Pray, serve, learn, and live as His disciples.