Prov 23:26 (ESV)
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Prov 3:5-6 (ESV)
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.’
I remember when I was a little girl how my grandmother used to sing when she was busy around the house. Whether she was doing the laundry, washing the dishes, pottering around the house or just sitting on her rocking chair looking out the window, her voice always carried a song of praise and worship.
The song ‘I surrender all’ was one of her favourite songs, and it is only now that I’m a grown woman and a mom, that I can truly understand the life of surrender she really lived, every single day. The word ‘surrender’ in the dictionary means to ‘stop resisting to an enemy and to give in to their authority; or to give up, often by force or on demand.’ It is often seen as a sign of weakness to wave your white flag.
To surrender your life to God however, has nothing brutal or demanding attached to it. It’s an acknowledgement that you are fallible, and that your strength is not found in your own ability, but in the God who created you and thought about you before you were even formed. It is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign of maturity and strength to be able to lift your hands in worship, with a heart full of faith and hope and submit to a Father who loves you unconditionally. It definitely is a step of faith, but also only a decision.
Isn’t it time that you stop trying so hard to:
- please the world
- be someone you are not
- constantly hold on to control and
- trying to always get it right?
Is it not time to surrender to the One who loves you regardless of who you are, what you can do, and how great you are at it?
Living a life of surrender is a sign of strength that will take you to heights that you never dreamed possible.
There are many benefits of surrendering your life to God, who is the only one who can save you and give you the freedom and peace you seek and desire. Giving our lives to Christ is much more for our benefit and when you worship Him, it helps make God bigger (in your own heart) & your problems smaller.
Our hearts are strengthened when we yield our lives to God. When we lift our hands in prayer or worship - it's a form of surrender.
Think about surrendering in war for a moment.
When the enemy wins, the other side is required to lift their hands in surrender. It’s a sign that they are giving up, and will no longer fight or defend themselves.
During war - surrendering to the enemy weakens you and your mission. You have no power and the enemy strips you of everything you have, leaving you naked, exposed & vulnerable.
Now think about surrendering to God
The difference when you lift your hands in surrender to God is that He becomes your Father. A protective Lion of His flock. It is about what He removes from your life, but more so about what He gives you in return.
He removes your weapons of anger, frustration, hurt, anxiety, depression and loneliness and instead clothes you with strength and dignity. He allows you to leave the hurts and cares behind and gives you the confidence to have hope for your future. Because future filled with hope is what He wants for you.
‘She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.’ Prov 31:25 (NLT)
Then He gives you spoils of warfare, but not the way the world understands - God covers you with His protection, His grace, His love. (See our 10-Day Guided Devotional Journal on Psalm 91)
Download this table and free printables to see what the enemy takes when you surrender to him vs What God removes but also gives you in return.
‘For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
Amen! How Good is our God! He is greatly to be praised.
When we surrender to God, we are giving up our own agendas, giving up trying to do everything in our own strength while trying to keep control and saying - God - Your will be done!
God, I'm giving it all to you, because I know You work all things together for my good, because I love you and I am called according to Your purpose. (Romans 8:28) I know you have a plan and a purpose for me which is filled with hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Are you ready and willing to surrender your life to Him? I hope I hear you shout Yes & Amen!
Remember to download your free table to see how God restores what the enemy has stolen from you and also grab your free printables.
Also don't forget to check out our Devotional journal on Psalm 91. Do it alone or with a friend and celebrate just how much God loves you.
If you need prayer, want to share your testimony or have a question, reach out to us by completing the CONTACT form on our website.
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