Mountaintops and Mustard Seeds

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026

Today in Church History: On July 31, 1971 the complete New American Standard Bible (NASB) was first published. This is a highly literal, word-for-word English translation widely used for study due to its accuracy to the original languages. It remains a solid example of modern American evangelical contribution to Bible translation, prioritizing literal accuracy and faithfulness to the original manuscripts.

Readings: Matthew 17 | Psalm 28

On the mountain, Peter, James, and John glimpse Jesus’ true glory; radiant, and flanked by Moses and Elijah, the Transfiguration symbolizes the Law and the Prophets finding their completion. But Jesus doesn’t let them build a permanent shrine there; He leads them back down into a valley of need, where a desperate father waits with a suffering son the disciples couldn’t heal. Even “mustard seed” faith, Jesus says, moves mountains, because its entirely dependent on the powerful, present God.

In Psalm 28 David cries out, almost panicked, fearing God’s silence. Then, by the psalm’s end, breaks into praise: “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” That’s the movement of real faith: honest lament followed by trust that God has heard. Think of a parent pacing a hospital hallway, praying with everything they’ve got, then finally exhaling when the doctor says “he’s going to be fine.” Mountaintop glory and valley desperation aren’t contradictions in the Christian life. They’re companions, and Christ walks through both with us. The key that unlocks peace and joy is to live like you believe.

Devotional Prompts:

• How do you personally hold together mountaintop spiritual experiences with the ordinary struggles of daily life?
• Psalm 28 moves from desperate prayer to confident praise. Where do you need that same shift today?

Prayer: Lord, my strength and my shield, thank You for meeting me in both glory and struggle. Grow my small faith until it moves the mountains before me. Amen.