More About Surrender

S. 3 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.

4 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.

5 Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

6 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.

7 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

O. 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 this relationship 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!

A. I must obviously need to learn and relearn the lesson of surrender in my life. It seems to be a constant post of learning for me from the scriptures each week. So what am I doing about it? I must say that I have a hard time with surrender…because it means that I don't have all the control and I like to be in control. I need to learn to live more by faith and not by sight. I need to step out of my comfort zones and make a conscience choice to follow wholeheartedly the path that God has laid before me. I must decrease…Christ must increase.

P. Lord, I what some desperately to follow your plan for my life…I want to much to surrender my whole life to you today and everyday. Help me to die to self and life in Christ! Today and everyday!