Are you a beach person or a mountain person? In Branson, Missouri this morning, I resonate with the Psalmist, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1). Surrounded by hills a little larger than the Texas hill country, I am reminded of the Maker of the Mountains. How hard would it be to move one of these mountains? Those who built roads and train tracks could tell us. Sometimes they went through the mountains, exploding sections to make way for progress and travel.
Harder than moving a mountain is making another person well. When Jesus’ disciples could not help a man with a sick son, he rebuked them and healed the boy. Mystified, the disciples asked, “Why couldn’t we do that?” Jesus answered, “Because you have so little faith.” This is the second time Jesus has used this expression, “little faith.” In the Sermon on the Mount, he used these words it to describe those who worry about food and clothing.
I have never moved a mountain. Honestly, I have never tried. But I have prayed for people to experience healing and God has answered my prayers. On other occasions, I have prayed for healing and the person did not get well. What am I to make of this? Is every person to be healed every time we pray? Are we never to die in this physical body? Large faith-healing churches have proclaimed this only to see their founders also die of illness.
We are not guaranteed healing power. But we pray fervently for those who are ill, that God will intervene. With Job we say, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Also with the Psalmist, we pray, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Whatever we face today, Jesus is near. He will either move the mountains or make a way through them. No need to fear.
