Surrender!

"Because you say so, I will" - Luke 5:5 NIV

Until we accept and cooperate with the law of gravity, we can't fly.

Until we accept and cooperate with the law of economics, we can't succeed in business. Getting the idea?

Surrendering to God is not weakness, it's wisdom. Only a fool resists God, because it's a fight we can't win. It's in surrendering to Him that we are empowered to succeed in what He's called us to do. Surrender is demonstrated by obedience. It's saying, 'Yes, Lord' to whatever He asks. To say, 'No, Lord' is a contradiction. How can we call Jesus 'Lord', and refuse to obey Him? (Luke 6:46 NKJV).

Peter demonstrated true surrender when Jesus told him to try again. '... "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish... ' (Luke 5:5-6 NKJV).

Surrendered people obey God even when it doesn't seem to make sense. Abraham followed God without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited on God's timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. Joseph trusted God's plan without knowing why circumstances happened as they did. Each was fully surrendered to God, and they came out on top.

As Joshua approached the walls of Jericho he encountered God, fell down and worshipped, surrendered his plans and said, '... "What does my Lord say to His servant?"' (Joshua 5:14 NKJV). Joshua's surrender led to a spectacular victory.

'How will I know I'm fully surrendered?' we ask. When we rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force our own agenda or control the situation. We don't have to be in charge, we simply let go and let God have His way.

Bob Gass-The Vine Today
WB “Vineyard” Journal