I Surrender - With Certain Conditions!

The moment my heart was prompted with this realization was during my devotions as I was reading the book Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. He wrote, 

 

If sometimes I am a little forgetful of His divine presence, God immediately makes Himself felt in my soul to call me back to Himself… I respond faithfully to these interior callings, either by lifting up my heart toward God, or by glancing sweetly and lovingly at Him. Or by uttering a few words formed within me by love – such as, ‘My God, here am I; I am entirely Yours; Lord, do with me according to Your heart.’  

 

Entirely? You mean Completely? Everything? 

Funny how a familiar principle, such as total surrender of God, can be revealed to me, a long-time follower of God, in such a fresh and convincing manner. The words ‘My God, here I am; I am entirely Yours; Lord, do with me according to Your heart,’ hit me hard.  

 

I said to myself, you have been protecting yourself from total surrender to God. WHY?’ 

The Lord reminded of a couple of verses I read the previous day in my devotions. Perhaps these verses prepared me for the conviction I needed from Brother Lawrence’s statement.  

Let’s consider the attributes and character of the God who calls us to absolute surrender. Who exactly is this God who expects so much from us? Why should we surrender? 

 

Is He worthy? Is He trustworthy? Is He Able?  

I feel silly just asking those three questions. They may be the most obvious questions I have ever considered. Who am I to even ask such questions? 

With simplicity of devotion, slowly and simply read God’s Word below and let your soul rest in the sweet answers to these three questions — 

 

Worthy? 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalms 19:1 

O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 2 Chronicles 20:6 

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. Revelation 4:11 

 

Trustworthy? 

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you. Genesis 28:15 

…and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. Joshua 23:14 

 

Able? 

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 

Is anything too difficult for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 

For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 

I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 

 

Yes, Yes and Yes! 

What’s holding me back from complete surrender to God? My faith in God is lacking. Do I really believe to the depth of my inner being? Is He really everything He claims to be?

• Is He worthy? YES!  
• Is He trustworthy? YES!  
• Is He Able? YES! 

 

Add to these attributes His love, kindness and perfect purposes for each of us. Lord, turn my fear into faith based upon Who You really are! 

 

 

Father, forgive me holding back. Reveal to me the hidden lies of my soul that keep me from falling before You in absolute surrender. Perhaps I cling to the good things of this world and fear You’ll take them away. Perhaps I feel my plans and goals are too important to submit to You. Whatever it may be, reveal them to me and strengthen me to surrender all. Amen!