Waving the White Flag of Surrender

 

When I have nothing left inside me, God is faithful to hold me up.  Here are some words of wisdom, not my words - words I was given this morning.

"Today, I invite you to waive a white flag and surrender to God in your [relationship].

So many things make their way into the average [relationship]. Life together can often pull us apart. Days can seem like minefields full of in-laws, children, finances, traditions, and more. “Two shall become one” can sometimes feel like a battlefield. Caught in the crossfire are two imperfect people exhausted by the natural tendency to cling to their own perspective.

We often spend so much energy battling our [partner] that we forget the real enemy lives outside of our homes. What if we could learn to see our challenges (big and small) as enemy attacks that need to come under the direction of our commanding officer, God? Instead of waging war in our own homes, we could surrender to God, allowing Him to lead us toward real victory. Instead of rushing to the fight, we pause and look to God for guidance, perspective, and wisdom.

Lamentations 3:25 says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him” (ESV). That is a promise worth surrendering to. I want the Lord’s goodness in my [relationship], so I need to wait for Him. Waiting can be hard, annoying, and even heartbreaking. But, my trust in God must lead my heart to wait on His sovereignty. Our unmet expectations all seem so urgent and powerful. But God says: Wait for me; I have a battle plan that leads to peace.

When we surrender to Christ, we can trust in His goodness. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper” (NLT). If I learn to let God lead and set my heart to do good, I can count on Him to keep me safe and help me thrive. So much of life is not knowing what’s next. But nothing surprises God. He knows what’s coming. He knows us, our [partner], and every weapon the enemy will use to divide us. He is able to lead us toward peace and protection if we are willing to surrender to his leadership.

Recognize the mines in your [relationship]. They can be internal (pride and impatience) or external (kids and finances). Either way, the enemy is waiting to see where you’ll step.

Trust God. He knows the way through the minefield. Trade in self-reliance for God’s ever-loving leadership. Surrender to the faithful goodness of the Waymaker."

Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." 

What Have You Been Fixing Your Eyes on Lately?

 

"What have you been fixing your eyes on more recently - the enormity and difficulty of your circumstances or the character of our good and faithful God?"

Let's read through Psalms 57 and 36.  Come with me as I take my eyes off the enormity of my situation and shift it to gaze at our Heavenly Father.

I have always been faithful with tithing, and just this last year, I sacrificed monthly nail salon visits so that I could shift my earnings to offerings for our new Church building.

But as car repairs hover above my head in amounts much greater than I can comfortably afford, I have been consumed with finding a new job, a new car, and how I am going to ever even begin to think about retiring.

Malachi 3:10 teaches us that God is faithful.  I'm not sure if the "floodgates of Heaven" have been "thrown open" to me and my household.  I certainly do not see it in a financial sense.  But maybe God has been throwing them open through a roof over my head, a car that works, children that are healthy, and a job I love.

I wish God would bless me with so much "blessing" there wouldn't be enough room to hold it all.  

I am the type of person that likes all their ducks in a row, and I would love to have too much in the storehouses.  Money to bless others, help others, and to know my future is secure.

I'll never know or understand why God gives more to others over others, but I guess it's not my job to question God's ways.  So this morning, I'm going to focus on God's attributes given to us through His Word.  Read along with me because I know you are struggling this morning too.

This will bless us I know.

Psalm 57:

• He vindicates me.
• He sends from Heaven.
• He saves me.
• He rebukes those who pursue me.
• He sends forth His love and faithfulness.
• His love is great.
• His loves reaches to the Heavens.
• His faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 36:

• His righteousness is like the highest mountains.
• His justice is like the great deep.
• He preserves both people and animals.
• His unfailing love is priceless.
• His wings give refuge.
• His house provides an abundant feast.
• His river provides drink.
• He is the fountain of life.
• He is light.
• He is righteous.

Lord Jesus, we come before You this morning asking for your blessings, your wisdom to infuse upon and within us, and for your protection to shelter us.

We try to remember to keep your Word within our hearts, but we fail so many times.  We struggle to be good stewards, but we do not always succeed.  

May You shelter us today.  May You hold us close and comfort us today.  May You open doors for us today.  May You close other doors today where we should not walk.  May we remember WHO You are - all the attributes posted above Lord.

May we remember that no matter what valleys come our way, YOU are our shelter.  You WILL provide.  And while You are taking care of us, let us always remember to not remain satisfied and comfortable, but to take the gifts and protection You give us and use them to benefit others.

May my widow's mite help build a church.  May the car(s) You provide allow me to transport things and people that need transporting.  May the roof over my head continue to provide shelter to those who need it most.

Even in this time of unanswered questions and struggles, I will praise Your name.  I will keep walking in the way You show me - the paths You lie out before me.  I will take what You put before me and continue to praise Your name because I know the paths before me are paths You ALLOW before me - good or bad - hills or valleys - blessings or evil's desires to trip me up and knock me down - were all ALLOWED by Your hand.  Therefore, I will continue to stand for You and beside You, resting under Your wings.

Thank You Jesus for dying for my sins on a cross You should never have been on over 2,000 years ago.  You came to save ME.  You came to save the Jews.  You came to save the Gentiles.  Thank You for your sacrifice.  We praise God for allowing You to come and for RESURRECTING You three days later.  We serve a God that is alive, not stuck in a tomb.

Help me to remember this daily and respect the guidelines and wisdom You left behind for me and the rest of the world.

Help me to be better today.  I love you Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Praise

 

What a powerful word from Pastor Groeschel this morning.

We shouldn't be praising God when he shows up.  We should be praising him 24/7, and that praise will reach God's ears and throne.  Praise isn't a magic conjuring or a vending machine, but it shows God our hearts and how much we truly love him.

Pastor Groeschel's quote reminds me of this Crowder song:

Happy Father's Day everyone.  Remember, "Praise Him in the morning.  Praise Him in the Noontime.  Praise Him when the sun goes down."

Word.