"Surrender is not the surrender of the external life, but of the will. When that is done, all is done." Oswald Chambers

Every day, in big or little ways, you and I are engaged in a battle. (see Gal. 5:17) This battle is real and dangerous. Our battles here on Earth are a reflection of the cosmic war raging between the Kingdom of God and all other kingdoms. It is a battle for full control.

Surrender to the will of the Creator does not strip the creation of dignity or freedom. On the contrary, it is the ONLY source of true freedom and abundance. The Sovereign Creator God rules over His creation with tender love, mercy, and compassion, inviting His creation to engage with Him in divine fellowship.

Count on it --- the very points on which you refuse to surrender will become enemies that rule over you. What area of your life has ended up ruling you as a tyrant (either past or present) because of a lack of surrender to God? How could surrender to God set you free from that slavery?

In contrast, Jesus says: "Take my yolk upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-29)

Our refusal to surrender our lives fully to God affects not only our own lives, but the lives of others as well. Think about all the ways that your refusal to surrender control is affecting others. Take time each day to pray for any specific battles for control that God has revealed to you.

Complete surrender to our Sovereign God brings peace and a foretaste of the glory that every believer will one day enjoy in heaven. We can begin to enjoy those benefits now by saying yes to God. As the familiar hymn says: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

From "Surrender" by Nancy DeMoss.
Visit Nancy's website, Revive Our Hearts