How To Move Mountains

March 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine

How To Move Mountains

“Independence” and “dependence” tend to have various connotations or leave us with certain impressions. We often think that being independent is good – to live on one’s own, hopefully responsibly. In the case of a nation, being independent might give the perception that a country can determine its own future without being under another authority. Being “dependent” suggests we are unable or cannot do what is commonly expected in life – that there is a problem or even failure in some way. We might think that being dependent means our rights have been taken away from us.

However, God sees things differently. He made that clear when He said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts … For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are … My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9 NKJV). So, while we may think that being independent is a good thing, God does not – at least not in relation to Himself. As we grow in faith, we discover He is right.

The Lord Jesus lived in dependence on His Father, doing what His Father did (Jn. 5:19-23). This brought honor to the Son and to the Father, as the Son perfectly displayed the Father to all (8:19, 14:7-11; Heb. 1:1-3). Likewise, we should show forth the love of Christ (Eph. 5:2).

To be independent is to be separated from Him. The Lord was quite blunt: “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). When independent, we are not acting by faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Having faith is critical. The Lord told His disciples, “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” (Mt. 17:20). The mustard seed is thought to be the smallest seed planted by man, only one millimeter in size. To move a mountain, even the intimidating, nonphysical ones we encounter as we walk in this world, requires faith, full obedience and true dependence on Him (v.21). Only in this way can the mountains in our lives be moved.

We pray that you will be blessed through the articles that follow, as they present lessons from Hebrews 11 and aspects of independence and dependence. May all be for His glory.

By Paul Alberts