Surrender as a Way of Life
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9: 3-7, NIV
Journal Entry from July 12, 2010:
This is a rather lengthy passage that I have chosen today, but I was really struck by God’s provision of prosperity and peace. These verses are often only read and studied during the Christmas season, but they are full of God’s promise and power. I love the promises of restoration, protection and peace. “You have shattered the yoke that burden”…what a promise…that God will break everything that oppresses us and give us victory and power over these things. He also promises an increase of God’s presence and protection in his presence. Peace, justice, righteousness…forever are all characteristics of God’s kingdom and his internal and eternal dwelling with us. It this is true, why are so many Christians caught in oppression and living a life free from peace and God’s protection. I believe it stems from the very core of who we are and the depth of our relationship with God. The problem with all these who were oppressed in the Old Testament was that they had turned the back on God…they had begun to worship idols and had turned they back on God. So the simple answer as to why we are not experiencing all that we should in our Christian life is our lack of intimate relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ. When we make a conscience effort to pursue a relationship with Jesus and allow it to drive all we do and say and think as a person, then and only then will be the recipients of God’s restoration, protection and peace. As I have been coming back to over and over as a primary response to the scriptures…it is a matter of my individual surrender to Jesus Christ. I have to die to self and become alive in Jesus Christ!
Well, there it is…the simple message of surrender. I have been challenged in my relationship with God the past week weeks and month about this issue of surrender. When surrender happens, you give up something…in war, you give up the fight and give yourself to the enemy. You begin to follow their ideas and obey their rules…and the same is true in our Christian lives. We have to follow the plan that God has for us…live obedient lives before Christ and follow after Him in all we do. In surrender you give part of yourself away so that something else can take it’s place. For Christians, that something is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And with God’s presence in our lives, we can follow His lead and purpose for our lives.
In reality, it is much easier to say all this than do it…but we must consciously give our lives, hearts and minds over to the Lord each and every day. Begin your day with a simple prayer of surrender. Allow your life to be under God’s control. I am trying daily and I hope you will join me!
Pastor Greg