Faith That Moves Mountains… One Shovel at a Time

A few years ago I read about a man who ate an airplane. Seriously. He ground a Cessna 150 into powder and ate it a teaspoon at a time. I’m not here to teach you how to eat an airplane—but it does paint a picture. Big things often move in small bites. Mountains move the same way: one shovel at a time.

Our text is Matthew 17:14–21. A desperate father brings his tormented son to the disciples. They can’t help him. Jesus rebukes the devil, heals the boy, and then answers the disciples’ painful question, “Why could not we cast him out?” His reply is clear:

“Because of your unbelief… for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (v. 20)

Jesus isn’t talking about relocating Pike’s Peak to Arkansas. He’s talking about those heavy, stubborn obstacles that feel immovable—sin habits, fear, sickness, strained relationships, financial pressure, spiritual dryness. He’s telling us they can move, and He shows us how.

1) The Measure of Faith: Small, But Living

Jesus doesn’t praise big faith. He praises living faith. A mustard seed is tiny, but it’s alive; it can sprout. Faith isn’t strong because we are strong. Faith is strong because God is strong. A little living faith in a big God does more than a big, showy faith in a small god of our own making.

The disciples had seen miracles. They had even cast out demons before (Luke 10). But this time they failed. Why? They were trying to fight today’s battle on yesterday’s faith. They left Jesus out of the equation. Faith must be fresh. That’s why we read the Word, pray, gather with the church, and keep our hearts “plugged in.” Branches only bear fruit when they stay connected to the Vine.

2) The Mountains We Face: Real, But Moveable

Your mountain might be a diagnosis, a bill, a burden, or a broken heart. It could be the fear of sharing your faith. It might be discouragement that won’t lift.

Mountains are real. But so is God’s power. Sometimes He moves a mountain in a moment. Other times He hands you a shovel. Faith prays like it depends on God and works like it depends on us. Nehemiah looked at a field of rubble and saw building blocks. The same stones that marked destruction became the wall that marked renewal. In God’s hands, the mess becomes material.

3) The Method of Faith: Pray, Speak, and Start Digging

Jesus said, “Ye shall say unto this mountain.” That means we stop letting the mountain have the loudest voice. Three conversations are always happening:

• With yourself: Will you talk yourself into defeat, or remind your soul of God’s truth?

• With God: Honest prayer—“Lord, I can’t, but You can.”

• With the mountain: “You will move—not because I’m mighty, but because my God is.”

This isn’t name-it-claim-it. It’s simple obedience and steady trust inside the will of God. We don’t demand Ferraris and private jets. We ask for what brings Him glory and what His Word supports. Sharing the gospel? Forgiving someone? Serving faithfully? Those are in bounds. So speak to the mountain and then pick up the shovel.

4) Stay Connected Daily

You can’t run today on last week’s tank of gas. Yesterday’s prayers don’t carry today’s load. Keep your heart close to Jesus in daily Scripture, prayer, and obedience. Simple habits keep faith fresh:

• Open the Word—“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

• Pray first, then plan—planning is wise, but prayer leads the way.

• Obey before you fully understand—if God has spoken in Scripture, say yes now and trust Him with the details.

• Worship while you wait—thank Him before the mountain moves.

5) Work While You Rest

God often links His power to our participation. David still picked up five smooth stones. Noah still swung the hammer. Moses still lifted the rod. They trusted and they acted.

We live in a microwave age. Two minutes feels too long for a potato, and two days feels too long for an answer. But Scripture reminds us: growth is usually slow and steady. Some mountains move with a miracle. Many move one shovelful at a time.

Our church has seen that. We didn’t pay off property in a moment. It has been faithful gifts—$10 here, $20 there—week after week, year after year. Shovel by shovel, God provides through His people. That same pattern can show up in your home, your heart, your habits, and your hopes.

6) Signs You’re Trusting Jesus (Not Yourself)

• You’re praying more than planning. Planning matters; prayer must lead.

• You’re obeying even before you “get it.” God’s will revealed in His Word is your green light.

• You’re resting while you work. Your hands move, but your heart rests in Christ.

• You’re praising while you wait. Gratitude grows before the results show.

• You keep digging after disappointment. Setbacks don’t silence faith.

• You confess quickly. Sin cools faith; confession clears the line.

• You thank God in advance. Expectation is not arrogance; it’s trust in His character.

A Picture to Carry With You

Think of a dad in the water, arms open, telling his child, “Push off. I’ve got you.” The child still has to move—but the confidence comes from the father’s presence. That’s faith. You shove off because He stands ready. You may not know how you’ll make it across, but you know Who will get you there.

This Week’s Next Steps

1. Name your mountain. Be specific. Write it down.

2. Find one clear step of obedience from Scripture that relates to it. Take that step today.

3. Pray out loud over it every day this week. Speak God’s truth to the mountain.

4. Do one “shovel-sized” task each day that aligns with your prayer.

5. Share a testimony. Tell one person what God is teaching you as you dig.

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” (Psalm 115:1)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we bring You the mountains that loom over our hearts. We believe—help our unbelief. Give us living, mustard-seed faith. Keep us close to You. Teach us to pray, to obey, to work while we rest, and to thank You before we see the answer. Move what only You can move, and use our shovels where You call us to dig. We give You the glory. In Your name, Amen.

Keep the shovel in your hand and your eyes on the Savior. One shovelful at a time.