SURRENDER IS THE KEY!
Last week, I read a book by Joni Lamb entitled Surrender All (ISBN #978-1-4000-7375-7). While I sometimes find it hard to finish many books, because of the authors failure to draw me in, I must tell you that Surrender All is one that kept me interested from the first page... all the way to the last. The Holy Spirit is so evident throughout each paragraph as Joni shares so many testimonies where, either she, or, some of her closest friends have surrendered EVERYTHING at various crossroads of their lives, only to see God miraculously reveal His unfolding "good plans" - plans that far exceeded their human expectations.
Surrender All actually moved me to tears as I rejoiced with Joni's personal account of each story and how God's love brought each person from either heartache, pain, or indecision to a place of glorious VICTORY! As I read example after example of how each "breakthrough became a reality" - totally changing the course of each life mentioned - I was encouraged to surrender more of my life... even those parts of my life that may seem insignificant.
I really think "surrender" is the key that unlocks the door to the working of God's Word. So many times I've witnessed Christian's who try to manipulate God through crafty prayer and fearful denial, all in an effort to try and force God's will. While I do believe that we should "stand" on God's promises in the face of adversity (Ephesians 6:13), I also believe that our "standing on God's Word" should be done with a pure heart of humility that is willing to accept God's pathway to wholeness - regardless of our preference. (Have you ever noticed that God rarely unfolds things in our time... or in our way?)
Psalm 37:5 -
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
The Lord is good and it is His good pleasure to bless His children (Luke 12:32). Our response to His love should be that of "trust". When we fully trust someone, we have no need to manipulate them; instead, we should rest in their desire to act toward our best interest. God's Word promises us that He will bring those things to pass that we deeply hope for. Not the selfish things of this world, rather: the hidden treasures of our hearts, our destiny, the purpose of our existence, the wholeness of our families, and the salvation of our souls. Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17), so there is no need to fret over the haunting "what ifs"; those strongholds (thoughts) that try to persuade us to control our situation... instead of relinquishing everything to God.
Learning to surrender requires a "leap of faith"; one that is anchored in the knowledge of God's character. We cannot expect to know God's character unless we are, first, willing to spend time reading His Word. In addition, we must be willing to fellowship with His people by going to church regularly and we must communicate with Him on a daily basis through a prayer life that is more eager to "listen" than it is to "speak".
Time and time again, scripture reveals how God moved when His servants were obedient to His "rhema word" of instruction concerning the dilemma of their moment. I'm talking about a "NOW" word; a word that is specifically for us at our moment of crisis. The Lord does not want us to live on yesterday's word or off of someone else's word; rather, He wants us to follow His leading - step by step - as we walk through unknown doors of "choice". While He does give us a free will to choose any door of life that seems good at the time, He also tells us - in His Word - that He is knocking on the door of life (Revelation 3:20), encouraging us to choose the path of surrender that He has prepared for us. This is the best path. This is the path to victory.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 -
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
One of my favorite scriptures is Deuteronomy 30:19-20. This verse really sums up the Christian journey as God prescribes the pathway to victory according to His perfect will. As we "choose" to follow after peace by "surrendering" our will, to His, the heavens open up, as the natural is overcome by the supernatural. The glorious wonders of the Kingdom of God are made manifest as we stand in awe at the evidence of our breakthrough. As darkness gives way to light and our breakthrough becomes a reality, God's glory is revealed. This is where our tests become our testimonies. This is where our faith becomes substance (Hebrews 11:1).
SURRENDERING ALL is the secret ingredient of the soul that gives FUEL TO OUR FAITH. While "surrendering our will to His" is in direct contrast to our fleshly nature, it is the only sure way to walk in the spirit. We are told that true worshippers must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). As our spirit surrenders to His, He ushers us into His perfect will; a place of wholeness and victory. While He probably won't allow our breakthroughs to manifest on our timetable, I can assure you that He will not be too late. His timing and His way is always perfect. He is continually standing with open arms, inviting us to leap into His bosom.
What do YOU need to surrender, today? I pray that you will be able to free-fall into the arms of Jesus, as you "truly" trust Him with every aspect of your life. He will not disappoint you. Trust Him, today, with whatever it is that has caused you pain, unforgiveness, hardship, grief, or emptiness. He wants to take that part of your life and exchange it for His victory, His blessings, His comfort, and His wholeness.
Psalm 9:10 - "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."
May you have a blessed day today knowing that God is for you.
I am praying for you!
In Christ,
Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross Ministries
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
I love hearing from you!
Hebrews 11:6 -
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
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