Isaiah 57:15
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." - KJV
Isaiah 51:22
"This is what your Sovereign Lord says your God, who defends his people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again." - NIV
Proverbs 23:10-11
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you." - NIV
Did you know that God's love has the power to bring everyone who suffers heartache, pain, injustice or even indecision to a place of glorious VICTORY? When breakthrough finally becomes a reality, the course of our lives is dramatically changed for His glory!
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." - KJV
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 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 take control of our situation - instead of relinquishing everything to God once we've done all we know to do.
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 moves 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. He does not want us to live off of someone else's word either. Rather, He wants us to follow His leading - step by step - as we walk through unknown doors of "choice" and "circumstance" in our everyday lives. 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." - KJV
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." - KJV
In Christ,
Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross
Ministries, Inc.
Strengthening Families; Encouraging Faith; Preaching the Gospel
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