Surrender

The Lord has been speaking to my heart here of late, on the topic of what it means to surrender. If I may, I’d like to share several thoughts the Lord has given me. Buckle up. I venture out quite a bit in this article, but please bear with me and follow along:

We live in a world of Never give up. Never back down. The social order of today’s environment teaches us that surrendering is unethical. Everybody looks out for number one. Everybody fights their own battles. It’s all about me. It’s all about what I am dealing with. It’s all about what I suffer with. Incorporating religion just makes us selfish in the name of Christ. I don’t believe He is pleased. We are not to be the center of our own universe. He is the master. We are servants to Him.

Recently, I was reading an article by pastor Glenn Goodwin (Des Moines gospel assembly) on Narcissism. In Greek mythology, Narcissus was the stunningly handsome son of a river goddess who fell hopelessly in love with his own beautiful face as he saw it reflected in a pool. As he gazed in fascination, unable to remove himself from his image, he gradually pined away until he starved to death. Since then, a person in love with himself has been called a Narcissist.

In this article he points out that we are surviving in a “what’s in it for me” generation. And if ever there was a time where the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy were true, it’s today. In 2 Tim 3:2 he’s dealing with men loving themselves more than God. He goes on to name off all the attributes of an untoward generation. And horror of horrors, they fit perfectly into the mold of this dispensation. Bro. Goodwin stated that: “Satan offered the crown without the cross to Jesus. Jesus wisely rejected the offer. Anyone who expects blessings without suffering is falling to the devil’s tactics. But if we suffer for Him, we will reign with Him. II Timothy 2:12.”

The Lord has been showing me how self centered and proud I am. Colossians 3:5 mentions inordinate affection being a form of idolatry. Inordinate means unrestrained or overindulgent. Even the very things we spend the most time doing, are very me-centered.
I have taken a small face book hiatus for the time being. (Don’t shut me down, I’m not coming against face book!) I have, and enjoy my face book very much. I think it can be a very uplifting tool. But I’ve noticed how me-centered it is. Every time I log on, I’m flooded with status updates that consist of mutual’s broadcasting their every move and decision. What is it in us that feels the need to share every detail of our life with the whole world? “I went to walmart at 4 am this morning. “I’m driving to McDonalds in the rain!” “I wore socks with sandals today, and everybody made fun of me.” Why do we feel the need to let everybody know everything we do? Maybe there is no harm in those things, I’d say there’s probably not. But the root of the issue remains. We want to be seen and heard and noticed. There is something in our spirits that wants to promote our self. Jesus said in the 12th chapter of John, If I be lifted up from among the earth, I’ll draw all men unto me. He also told a multitude of Jews, in the 6th chapter of John that they could only come if the spirit of the Father draw them. If we’re so wrapped up in ourselves, we’ll never have the impact of Christ.

Back to my previous point. We rarely hear about surrendering anymore. It’s far more common to hear “win, succeed, dominate, or conquer” rather than “yield, submit, obey, or surrender.” Two leading snags in today’s surrender are fear and pride. We fear because we’re too stubborn to trust. And we’re too full of carnality to look past our poisonous pride and realize that He’s holding the reigns.

I was watching the Christian station recently, and Christian artist, Kirk Franklin was being interviewed, and he made a valid point that stuck with me. A man was getting his car detailed, and he found himself in a foul mood due to the fact that he had endured an extremely stressful week. While getting his car serviced, one of the workers, with a lesser position, the “runt with the grunt job” as some would say, asked him: “How are you today?” And he replied, “I’m okay I guess, and you?” And the worker replied: “Oh I’m blessed!” And he said it shocked him because it was obvious that this man lacked wealth. He wasn’t popular, nor was he appreciated at his job. He said it was infrequent to hear such a positive response in such a negative society. The common response typically involves grumblings or complaints. It seems as though, the ones who do without are the most positive. Perhaps they have learned that their dependency cannot be in mortal things. God has allowed them to see a deeper side. Not the “Easter God” or the “Christmas God” or the “Commercial God” but rather, the “Every day with Jesus” God. The God of dedication. The God of commitment. The God that grows sweeter day after day. They have learned to surrender everything to Him and completely rely on him to supply and provide all of their needs. He promised to do that, y’know.

Romans 12:1 says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Holy and acceptable. You’ll never be either of these, until you surrender full control to Christ. A leading aspect in surrendering is making a sacrifice for those you dislike. There is nothing more efficient than laying down your luxuries, and inconveniencing yourself for somebody you’re not fond of. The Lord recently dealt with me on this subject. It’s easy to get down and pray for those whom you consider a friend. There’s little sacrifice there. But when you ask God to help those who have offended you, or stabbed you in the back, a healing process begins. What first got my attention on this matter, was the lyrics: “I’ll talk to my father for you, and if I know my father, here’s what He’ll do, He’ll lay at your feet all the things you pursue. It’s no bother, for my father will do this for you.”

And the thought occurred to me, it’s our responsibility to pray for those who wrong us. Matt 5:44 and Luke 6:28 repeat the thought: “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” The hardest part of praying for them, is watching God answer those prayers. If you ask God to bless them, don’t be angry when He does.

These are some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written.

I have wrestled in the darkness of this lonely pilgrim land
Raising strong and mighty fortresses, that I alone command
But these castles I’ve constructed by the strength of my own hand
Are just temporary kingdoms on foundations made of sand
In the middle of the battle, I believe I’ve finally found
I’ll never know the thrill of victory ’til I’m willing to lay down
All my weapons of defense and earthly strategies of war
So I’m laying down my arms and running helplessly to Yours ·
I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams
Though the price to follow costs me everything
I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires, that all my kingdoms fall I surrender all
· If the source of my ambition is the treasure I obtain
If I measure my successes on a scale of earthly gain
If the focus of my vision is the status I attain
My accomplishments are worthless and my efforts are in vain
So I lay aside these trophies to pursue a higher crown
And should You choose somehow to use the life I willingly lay down
I surrender all the triumph, for it’s only by Your grace
I relinquish all the glory, I surrender all the praise
I surrender all
· Everything I am, all I’ve done, and all I’ve known
Now belongs to You, the life I live is not my own
Just as Abraham laid Isaac on a sacrificial fire
If all I have is all that You desire, I surrender all.

I’d like to focus on the last line of that song. “Just as Abraham laid Isaac on a sacrificial fire…” If anybody was a prime recipient of Godly surrender, it was Abraham. I spoke with Jordan Evans a while back, and he and I had a good discussion on Abraham and his sacrifice. Jordan was sharing his thoughts and opinions on the matter, and things that had never stuck out to me before began to catch my attention. Sarai told Abraham, in the 16th chapter, to bear a son with Hagar, their Egyptian handmaid. As a result, Ishmael was conceived when Abraham was fourscore and six. [Eighty six.] After that, nothing is recorded until Abraham was ninety nine. That’s a thirteen year period that no record was taken. I know that Abraham must have done a lot of evaluating in that time. This isn’t verifiable, and I can’t prove this, but I personally believe that God dealt very strongly with Abraham in this time. Perhaps even a little testing and shaking, to prepare Abraham for the work that was ahead. He tells him in the 17th chapter, Abram, I am the almighty God. Walk before me, and be thou perfect. I will make my covenant between us, and will multiply thee exceedingly. God was reassuring him of a promise He made him in the 15th chapter. Abraham was lamenting with God for a son. All he had was Eliezer, the steward from Damascus. God spoke to him, and told him to step outside and look up at the stars. “See if you can count them.” “Impossible” Abraham replied. “So shall your seed be.” And when Abraham was ninety nine, God told Abraham he’d have a son. Abraham laughed and told the Lord, “I’m nearing one-hundred years old! Sarah is ninety! You’re going to bless US with a son?” The Lord told them: “Yes indeed, and his name shall be called Isaac.” So Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the child promised of God. Now alas, Abraham is a father. He watches with pride as he sees his promised child growing up. He see’s him as he learns to walk, as he says his first words. Abraham has great anticipation of what God is going to do for this child. Abraham knew that, because God promised him this child that He would use him in a great way. Then, God speaks very unexpected words to Abraham. Take Isaac down to Moriah, and kill him. Abraham never said: “Why Lord?” He never said, “Lord, you promised to multiply my seed!” He responded immediately. He rose up early in the morning, and saddled his mule. Him, Isaac, and two of his servants were on their way. Abraham didn’t even know where to go once he got to Moraih. God said go, and I’ll show you. I personally am not able to do that. I demand to know every minute detail. That’s a characteristic that I must eradicate. How could Abraham so freely give up his very son after waiting for so long? How could he just react to such a request without even asking for an explanation? Abraham had experienced enough tribulation. Abraham had suffered through many hard times. So when the Lord bid Abraham to perform such an act, although the grief must have weighed heavy, he did not argue. He had been so desponded in the past, that he was willing to do ANYTHING to avoid entering into that misery again. Even if that meant sacrificing his own son.

We must get to that place. That is TOTAL surrender. When we are willing to leave behind the things that mean the most to us, that is when we have found complete, Godly surrender. Rest assure. God will send us on some crazy journeys. We wont make it a dime cheaper than any of these men.

After finding the exact place God had in mind, Abraham camped. The next morning, he rose and told his two servants to wait for him. He told Isaac to follow him up the hill to worship. I can’t imagine what must have been going through his mind as he prepared to kill his beloved son. My mind can not fathom such aguish. Isaac carried the wood as they made their way to where the sacrifice would take place. Abraham had fire in one hand, and a knife in the other. Isaac said: “Father, where is the Lamb?” Abraham said: “The Lord will provide.” What an attitude! What a determination! What trust! Abraham approached the exact place. Built an altar. Tied up his son. Laid him upon the wood, and prepared for sacrifice. The smell of sorrow and agony was in the air. Abraham lifted his hand, gripping the knife that would straightaway puncture through his promised, miracle child. I believe Abraham had tears of sorrow streaming down his face as he looked into the terrified eyes of the child he loved with all of his heart. Just as he was about to steal the life of this helpless child, “Abraham! Abraham!” he heard. “It is I” He replied. “Don’t lay a finger on him, you have proven yourself to fear God” God sent an Angel to cease this wonderful act of faith. Abraham lifted up his reassured, tear-filled eyes, and behold! There laid a ram, caught in the thicket. So he and Isaac slaughtered the alternative sacrifice. Abraham called that place: Jehovah-Jireh which is Hebrew for: “The Lord will provide.” A Latin interpretation is “Dominus videt” which, converted to English text means, “The Lord Sees.”

God is all about the last minute stuff. Abraham was clutching the knife, and on his way in before God moved. There’s too many pictures to paint here, but I’m writing a blog, not a novel. Don’t think that just because you surrender and God doesn’t move instantly, that He has forsaken you. He just doesn’t get in a hurry. Time is no element to God. After all, He created it. We must find the same determination. The determination that leaves us with fire in one hand, and a knife in the other! The determination that says, I can conquer anything as long as I have the Word of God in my hand, backed by the fire and operation of the Holy Ghost!
Jeremiah Beck pointed out that, Abraham, Isaac, and the ram act as a type of the divine sacrifice. Our heavenly father was so concerned about our welfare, that He delivered his only son. Just as Isaac carried the sacrificial wood up to the place where he would be executed, so did our father carry the weight of our mistakes and misfortunes. And just as our transgression was on its way to engulf us, Jesus, the ram in the thicket, made an appearance to relieve us from our much deserved punishment.

Another statement Jordan made was: “You surrender in everything you do. Rather it’s to yourself, rather it’s to God, or rather it’s to the world. In every aspect of life, in every decision you make, you are surrendering one factor over another.” Why is surrendering so hard? Why do we clutch the weights that detour us, yet let go of the truth that frees us? It’s simply because we don’t trust. We don’t really believe that God will supply our needs. We believe He has the power. We believe He has the ability. And we know He has the authority. We just can’t seem accept that He’ll do it for us. We think that, because we’ve made so many mistakes, God is not interested us. There’s an old chorus that was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, inspired by Mark 9:24 that says:

I believe, help thou mine unbelief. I take the finite risk of trusting like a child. I believe, help thou my unbelief. I walk into the unknown trusting all the while. I long so much to feel the warmth that others seem to know But should I never feel those things, I claim Him even so. I believe, help thou my unbelief I walk into the unknown trusting…

The longer we wait to surrender, the more consequences we’ll have to pay. God is a forgiving God. He’s a God who loves to see His children surrender and admit they can’t do it without Him. But the longer you wait, the more problems you face. Please allow me to make an example. If one of your addictions is smoking, and you finally surrender to the Lord and put that into His hands, you’ll be free from it. It will no longer be a chain that binds you. But due to the number of years you took part in this addiction, you’re a potential candidate for lung cancer. If alcoholism is an addiction, God awaits your submission. God will forgive you, but unless he touches your body, then you are a prime suspect for a liver disorder. To look at it from another angle, if you battle with gossip, that is an attribute that must be laid down. You CAN NOT make the Kingdom if you struggle with a destructive tongue. God can deliver you from that. God can forgive you of that. But even His amazing forgiveness doesn’t take away the number of precious saints you’ve hurt and destroyed. These are just a few common illustrations. My point is, let God come in and clean house while you have the opportunity. Don’t procrastinate until it’s your final escape. Don’t wait to respond because you simply have no other way to turn. Don’t make God your last resort.

I was talking to Eric Whalen recently, and he asked me: “Do you think Judas could have been forgiven, had he asked?” Briefly, I was baffled. I had never put much thought into it. My wheels began to turn, and I came to the conclusion that, he most certainly could have. If Judas, in the beginning had repented, Jesus could have forgiven him and raised up another to take his place. But, Judas, could not have forgiven himself. See, Judas only did that which God allowed him to do. He simply carried out the plan that God had preordained. There will always be a Judas. In a great house there are vessels of honor and dishonor. Judas reached a point of no return, and there he killed himself. What a type. We all have a past. We have all made mistakes. Some worse than others, but that is completely irrelevant. My sin, be it smaller or larger than yours, still must be forgiven. We cannot make the Kingdom if we have sin in our lives, regardless of the severity. One sin is one too many. But all too often we hold onto things, rather than just surrender them to the Lord. We walk around dragging the chains of guilt and defeat behind us until we absolutely hang ourselves. “What a friend we have in Jesus All our sin and grief to bear What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit Oh what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry [surrender] Everything to God in prayer” All He wants is to help. All He is, is love. All He wants, is to forgive. He longs to wipe off past regrets and free us of our guilt. But as He attempts to reach down and wrap His warm, loving arms around us, we push Him away. Don’t ask for forgiveness until you’re ready to embrace it. He offers soothing forgiveness at the instant of repentance. As long as you keep saying “I have done too much” or “He could never forgive me,” then you’ll walk around miserable just as Judas did.

Realize that God can, will, and wants to redeem you! The problem is you. You won’t let him. After God sends you the alternative, you reject the ram and slaughter the child! I have mentioned this in past writings, but Bro. Rob Massey said it best. He said, when a father is teaching his son to walk, he expects his son to fall. He doesn’t expect him to go from crawling to sprinting overnight. And, every time the child falls, there he stands waiting to pick him back up. He doesn’t say after five or six failed attempts “You ignorant child! Stand up! What is wrong with you! Why don’t you just walk!” No. Quite the contrary. He is by his side, waiting for him to fall, so he can lift him up as many times as necessary. (Proverbs 24:16) Your father is that way. He knows you are going to fall. He knows you are a weak. He is waiting to redeem you. Let Him.

One of today’s most beloved hymns is “I surrender all” The author, Judson W. Van DeVenter was an aspiring artist in the late 1800′s. He trained under a German art teacher and later became an art supervisor. It was during this time that he attended a revival at the church in which he was a member. He began to feel God calling him and beckoning him to the ministry. Due to his love and passion for art, he resisted. He ran from God for the better half of five years before he finally yielded. The definition of surrender is To cease from fighting due to inability to win. In other words, you can resist, and you can run all you want. But in the majority of cases, those who run, eventually surrender. If God wants you, He will have you, or you will be miserable until you pass from this life. Upon finally surrendering to the will of the Lord, Judson W. Van DeVenter penned these amazing lyrics: ·

All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures ALL FORSAKEN, Take me Jesus, TAKE ME NOW
· All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live
· All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine
· All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me
· All to Jesus I surrender, Now I feel the sacred flame
Oh, the joy of FULL salvation! Glory, GLORY, to His Name!
I SURRENDER ALL – I SURRENDER ALL
ALL TO THEE MY BLESSED SAVIOR I SURRENDER ALL…

I recently listened to Doctor Tony Evans, and his words so enlightened me. He shared a fact on the African impala that went as so: The African impala has the ability to jump ten feet high, and thirty feet out, in one single move. That is a massive jump. In seconds, this animal can cover up to thirty feet of earth. But if you take the African impala, and incarcerate him in a fenced in area, he won’t move. Regardless if the fence is only three feet tall, he will stay put. So here is this massive jumping animal, and all of his power, confined in a diminutive space, because he will not jump where he cannot see.
And I realized that, we are the same way. We have the authority and the power that God Himself has given us through the precious gift of His Holy Ghost. He presented us with the comforting assurance that He will lead and guide us if we would only let Him. And because we will not walk by faith, because we will not launch out into the deep unknown, because we refuse to close our eyes and trust that God is holding the reins, we imprison ourselves. I recently relayed this illustration to Tristan Evans, and her response was “We tend to get angry with those who put up the fence. When in reality, what is a little fence to God? We are like adults still living in the playpen. It’s time to grow up.”

There is only one way. And regardless of how determined you are to convince yourself that you can do this on your own, you can’t. Jeremiah also injected the chorus “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” I found that to be very fitting. It’s in this time of bondage that God seems a thousand miles away. It seems like God is rejecting our prayers. We feel like He has stripped us of His spirit and covering. I’ve gone through many spiritual droughts. They’re miserable. We live in a world of lost and undone people. People that are sick and hopeless. If it wasn’t for the trials we go through in our walk, we’d never be qualified to help anybody else. You cannot appreciate the light until you’ve lived in the darkness. I hope that I haven’t covered too much ground for such a direct subject. But if I may tie up these ends, it is vital that we seek God like never before. The drumbeat of Gods fury resounds. This perfect work will go on. If we don’t forsake the love of self, if we don’t put God on the throne of our hearts, if we don’t fully and completely surrender our wills and wants over to God regardless of the sacrifice, then we have wasted our time. I would HATE to see God raise up another group of people, because we just couldn’t get it right.

May God help us!
Help us oh God, to get this right. Help us to get back to the place you’ve purposed us to be. To live and walk in the beauty of Your eternal holiness…