3 Levels of Challenges That Yield to Persistent Prayers of Faith (Matthew 17:20)

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“And Jesus said unto them, 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.” (Matthew 17:20, KJV)

The context of this verse is crucial. Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed boy after His disciples failed to do so. Their failure wasn’t due to a complete lack of faith, but rather insufficient faith for that particular challenge. Despite their previous successes in ministry, this particular challenge proved beyond their current faith capacity. As their faith capacity increased, the same Peter who once stood helpless before the demon-possessed boy, even his shadow passing over the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits brought healing and deliverance (Acts 5:15-16).

Similarly, long before he faced Goliath, David was quietly building his faith resume through progressive challenges, each larger than the last. Through David’s experiences, let us explore the three distinct levels of challenges that yield to persistent prayers of faith as captured in 1 Samuel 17:36: “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.”

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Level One: The Lion

The lion represents a sudden, fierce, and life-threatening challenge. In a modern context, the lion can symbolize crises or challenges that strike without warning. These might be unexpected health issues, financial crises, or relational conflicts. Such challenges often evoke fear and demand immediate, courageous action.

David’s victory over the lion teaches us that these sudden battles are our training ground for faith development. Faith-filled prayers empower us to confront these sudden crises. Just as David trusted in God’s strength to deliver him from the lion, we must lean on God’s promises and power in our prayers. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22)

Level Two: The Bear

The bear represents a persistent, powerful adversary. Unlike the lion’s sudden attack, the bear’s strength and resilience posed a prolonged threat. In today’s world, the bear symbolizes ongoing struggles that require endurance, such as chronic illnesses, long-term financial difficulties, or prolonged relational issues. These challenges test our patience and resilience.

David’s victory over the bear demonstrates how God builds upon our previous victories to prepare us for greater challenges. Faith-filled prayers equip us to endure and ultimately overcome these prolonged challenges. David’s victory over the bear was not immediate but required sustained effort and trust in God.

Level Three: The Uncircumcised Philistine

The term “uncircumcised Philistine” wasn’t just an insult – it represented someone outside God’s covenant. These battles are fundamentally spiritual in nature, challenging God’s authority and His people’s faith. In contemporary terms, the Philistine symbolizes kingdom advancement oppositions, such as attacks on biblical truth, persecution of believers, evangelistic barriers, revival obstacles, cultural resistance to the Gospel, and mission field challenges among others. Faith-filled prayers enable us to face and conquer these seemingly insurmountable obstacles. David’s confidence in God’s power allowed him to triumph over Goliath with a simple sling and stone.

In conclusion, each challenge we face is an opportunity to build faith for the next level of spiritual authority and kingdom impact. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 17:20 highlights that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, is sufficient to move mountains. Faith is not about the size but the quality and focus on God’s power. Therefore, no matter the size or nature of the mountain before you, with faith in God, nothing will be impossible. Keep praying, keep believing, and watch God transform challenges into opportunities for ‘all things work together for good for all those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

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