As I discussed Proverbs 3: 5-6 tonight during Bible study, I was sharing how acknowledging God is speaking who He is: The Great I Am that I Am, the first and the last, the sovereign God…acknowledging He is this big God.
THEN, for the first time in all my years studying this verse, it hit me – or rather was revealed to me – that acknowledging God in all my ways is trusting that His plan is best…His way is best.
Acknowledging God is surrendering to His will and being obedient to that will – even if we don’t understand it. But we trust Him to the point that whatever the outcome, we know he’s got us and we’re safe.
It’s, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” I acknowledge you not just to get me to the destination, but I trust you for the journey as well.
From after four this morning, I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking about my soul and how I have not fully surrendered to God.
Yes I am a Christian. In 1998, while in my early 20s, I gave my life to the Lord. Every so often my mom – who was a Christian all my life – would encourage me to give my life to the Lord. That morning was different though. The Spirit of God convicted my heart of sin. I got on my knees, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to come into my life.
Twenty two years later and I confess, I haven’t fully surrendered my all to Him. I haven’t laid it all on the altar. There have been some idols (check yourself; you might find one or two and be surprised by what or who they are). As I look over these past two decades, there have been times I embraced the Burger King mentality: Have it Your Way. I realize there were still those, “My will” moments as opposed to, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Everything has not been left at the foot of the cross. There are times when I haven’t put God first. Self will and not God’s will reigned supreme at times.
When I think about surrender to God, I think about letting go. I think about being satisfied in Him. I think of, “Even if my will doesn’t come to past, I would still serve you Lord.” That’s surrender and today, I want to be there.
In January this year, I was at an event and heard a song that was beautifully sung. But what touched me more than the beautiful voice were the words. I quickly wrote down a few lines and after the event typed them in Google. I learned that the artist was multiple award-winning singer, Lauren Daigle. She is so real and her lyrics have touched those in the secular and Christian world.
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I didn’t know Lauren but I did further research and came to love a few of her songs. One of the songs which struck me was, Trust in You. This song has special meaning to me. It’s my favourite of her songs.
Lauren encourages us to lay it at His feet. And even when He doesn’t move the mountains or part the waters, we must trust Him. That is surrender.
Today, I invite you on a journey with me. Today is a new day. It’s a new chance…a new beginning. Yesterday is gone. Let’s start afresh…quit the Burger King Mentality. Not my will. May Romans 8:28 become real to us, knowing that all things are working together for our good, no matter the circumstances. Let’s trust Him. Let’s trust the process. Let’s surrender to HIS will.
There is someone who needs an encouraging word at this very moment. Life has beaten you up quite badly. You feel weary. You are hurt, disappointed…quite frankly – you’re tired. At times, you have been at the brink of despair.
Each of us, at various points in life, have gone through painful situations. Someone after just a year or two of marriage, has had a spouse walk out. Another person has had a young child die of cancer. Someone is struggling financially. Yet, someone else has had to endure watching a dear relative making poor decisions which result in heartache.
Whatever your situation, as I told someone earlier today, push through, press on…do not give up. Galatians 6 v. 9 says, ” And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” And of course, only he who feels it knows it, but the reality is humans sometimes fail us. Situations present themselves that test your will power…your faith…your resilience. The vicissitudes of life might sometimes make you feel like you’re drowning or perhaps you are suffocating beneath the rubble. The situation might have you on the brink of collapse, but keep on keeping on. Hang on, even if just by a thread – HANG ON!
I encourage you to pray your way through. In fact, pray the Word. I remember a situation I went through about 15 years ago; it felt like a death. I was literally in mourning. I was so low that it affected me physically. Evenings were the saddest time for me. There was just something about watching the setting of the sun and lowering of its rays from my window that saddened me. Perhaps it was the approach of darkness and the quietness…stillness of the night that I preferred to not experience. I couldn’t wait for mornings; they signaled a new start…a new beginning…sunshine…another attempt to muster some strength.
The ONE text I came across that resonated with me at that time and gave me great comfort was Psalm 147 v. 3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Even to this day, I could never forget how that ONE text was what I held on to. I repeated that in every prayer, reminding God of His promise. I clung to it with everything I had. I spoke it. I prayed it. And eventually it came to past. I encourage you to pray yourself through. Again, pray the Word. God’s Word is true.
Remember, God tells you in 1 Peter 5 v. 7 to “(Cast) all your care upon him; for he careth for you. He further encourages us through Philippians 4 verses 7 and 8 to, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Yes, God is saying, not to worry. It’s easier said than done, but either we worry and carry the load or give Him the burden and trust the process that ALL – not some – things are working together for our good (Romans 8 v. 28). We have a choice. And yes, something good is going to come out of this situation for you. Believe.
I pray God’s peace over your life and your situation in the name of Jesus. Give it to Him. He wants to carry that burden. May you experience God’s peace today in the name of Jesus.
You wouldn’t believe some of the things I have done in faith. There are some things, if I share, I would be labelled desperate or crazy! Nevertheless, I am of the firm belief in preparing for what I’ve prayed for. The Word says in Psalm 84 v 11 that God will not withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. I also once read that the highest form of faith is preparation.
In fact, I remember when my daughter was in her final semester of college and had to do independent study for a course because she was the only one requiring it at that time to graduate. We certainly had some road blocks including her application reportedly being lost at one point. However, like I told her, she was in that institution for too long! I said, “Dis ya last semester!” And I was serious!
In faith, I took out my old graduation rob that she was also to wear and I hung it in the front of the closet in an act of faith. I eyed that rob everyday as it hung front and centre outside the closet. I prayed in faith, taking the matter to the Lord with expectation that He would open the door. And with the help of the Lord, she got the independent study release aproved the FINAL day of registration. She literally ran onto the line, slipping in moments before the line was cut off. That May, she graduated and it was not luck! Thanks be to God!
I also had a dear friend of mine whom I was joining in prayer for a baby. I believe faith without works is dead, so what did I do? In faith, I went to the store and bought her a few baby items and had them wrapped. I told her to open it with her husband. They were both pleasantly surprised. It was simply an act of preparing for what we were praying for!
And no, God is no magician with some magic wand, but I believe in calling those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4 v 17) and walking by faith – not by sight (2 Corinthians 5 v 7).
You might ask, “What if God doesn’t grant the desire?” Well, ultimately He is sovereign and His will be done, but don’t let it be because you lacked the faith that He is more than able! Trust Him even when you can’t trace Him.
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