Surrender Daily



Take the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:17

When Jesus starts the most famous sermon he ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), he started it with a list of attitudes and actions that would lead to the blessing of God, known as the Beatitudes. Where does he start? With surrender: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). What does “poor in spirit” mean? It’s a posture of humility, of surrender. Another way to say “poor in spirit” would be “blessed are the spiritually bankrupt” or “blessed are those who overwhelmed by their inability to save themselves.” How does being aware of your own depravity lead to blessing? Because it leads to surrender; because it leads to God.

From the beginning, the sin of mankind has been the sin of rebellion, attempting to live life on our own, apart from God. Even once we become Christians, we have to fight the daily temptation to live life on our own. Too many Christians treat Jesus as their “Get Out of Hell Free” card and nothing more. We treat God as our last line of defense, we run to Him when we can’t do it on our own anymore. While running to God is always good, this should be our first impulse, not our last. When you surrender daily to God, when you declare your dependence, when you’re fully aware of your spiritual bankruptcy, you’re taking yourself off the throne of your life and allowing God to take His rightful place. The positive effect this will have on your life and on those you’re fighting for cannot be overstated. Surrender daily to God, take yourself off your throne, out of the driver’s seat, humbly submit to God every morning, and watch Him start fighting and winning the battles on your behalf that have defeated your loved ones for too long.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Twelve days ago (Day 13) we first introduced the concept of surrendering daily. How have the last twelve days gone? Has it become a little more natural to surrender? Have you surrendered daily?

2. What areas do you still need to surrender in your life? What areas need to be surrendered in the lives of your family and loved ones?

NEXT STEP

The next step in surrendering daily is to get on your knees before you leave the house each day. Literally. Bend down on the ground, the lower the better. If you can literally prostrate yourself on the ground, do it and declare your dependence upon God today. That humbling physical posture is a signal that you can’t be successful today without God. If your loved ones are willing and able, have them surrender with you!


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