Living the Surrendered LifeSample
Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was born. That means, that they conceived, did the deed, they procreated...they had sex...when they were 99 and 89. To say they were old is just being nice. The chances would be high that the "equipment" of a couple that age might not be working properly.
Guess again.
Yet despite all of the odds that were against Abraham, Scripture says HE DID NOT WAVER and was FULLY CONVINCED that God would do what he promised.
To waver means that one vacillates irresolutely between choices. Abraham did not do this. He pushed aside the fear and worry and doubt that {must have} creeped in to tempt him to believe otherwise.
To be convinced means one is brought to belief. Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness (Galatians 3:6; Romans 4:3). He was absolutely certain that God would do as He said He would.
And He did.
"What about Hagar and Ishmael?" you might ask. Good question. I don't know for sure. All I know is that the Scripture says he did not waver. Was that before or after Ishmael's birth? I think after. Ishmael was 13 or 14 when Isaac was born. You know that had to be excruciating waiting for the promise of God.
But he did.
Friends, without faith, it is absolutely, without a doubt, impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Action Steps
Where are you lacking faith? Where is God calling you to step out in faith and trust Him even when, especially when you don't see? Today, tell God that you trust Him with your situation. Tell God that you trust Him with your spouse or children. Tell God that you trust Him to bring glory through your pain even though it's severe.
Guess again.
Yet despite all of the odds that were against Abraham, Scripture says HE DID NOT WAVER and was FULLY CONVINCED that God would do what he promised.
To waver means that one vacillates irresolutely between choices. Abraham did not do this. He pushed aside the fear and worry and doubt that {must have} creeped in to tempt him to believe otherwise.
To be convinced means one is brought to belief. Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness (Galatians 3:6; Romans 4:3). He was absolutely certain that God would do as He said He would.
And He did.
"What about Hagar and Ishmael?" you might ask. Good question. I don't know for sure. All I know is that the Scripture says he did not waver. Was that before or after Ishmael's birth? I think after. Ishmael was 13 or 14 when Isaac was born. You know that had to be excruciating waiting for the promise of God.
But he did.
Friends, without faith, it is absolutely, without a doubt, impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Action Steps
Where are you lacking faith? Where is God calling you to step out in faith and trust Him even when, especially when you don't see? Today, tell God that you trust Him with your situation. Tell God that you trust Him with your spouse or children. Tell God that you trust Him to bring glory through your pain even though it's severe.
Scripture
About this Plan
The word surrender doesn’t have very positive connotations in our society. It tends to be seen as a weakness. However, surrendering takes more strength than you can imagine. We don't need to carry shame, worry, ingratitude or fear around, we need to “give it up completely” as one of the definitions of surrender suggests. I believe that when we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Christ we will find the abundant life promised us in John 10:10. After all, God gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him.
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