Selfless Surrender

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  Mark 9:23 (NIV84)

Have you ever been to a point where you’re uncertain if the things you are facing are things that even God cannot handle? Have you tried praying, fasting, and extending your faith to seek answers, but nothing becomes of what you’ve done? Have you ever felt God’s silence? Has discouragement imbedded itself within your heart?

I don’t know why there are times in our lives where life seems to engulf every moment with despair. I don’t understand it myself, and to be honest, there have been times where I have walked in the shadow of the valley of death, times where I have questioned the seemingly absence of God’s sweet presence. I don’t have any elegant words of wisdom and neither do I have any real explanation to offer. The only thing I have to share is that no matter what you’re going through and no matter how overwhelming it may become, God is greater.

God created the Universe with a spoken word and at this very moment, the Universe is still expanding at God’s command. The trees are still growing and the ocean’s waves are still coming to the exact place to where God said they may go.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Proverbs 8:27-29 (NIV84)

The Earth still rotates around the sun and the stars still mark the seasons. And all those very wonderful astounding things were created out of love by the will of the LORD God. Not only were those things created out of love and for a very important purpose, so were you.

You see, God does not make mistakes. He is not a man where He changes His mind or His mood.

19 God is not a man, that he should lie,
    nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Numbers 23:19 (NIV84)

Way back before the Universe was spoken into existence, God knew the beginning of time to the end of time and every millisecond in between… and even more importantly, He knew you would be born, because life does not happen outside of the will of God.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:13-16 (NIV84)

God’s will is driven by Love because He is Love. God loves you so very much, much more than you can possibly imagine. There isn’t anyone better suited to be you. No one can take your place and no one can measure up to the very specific things the LORD God desires for you to accomplish for the glory of His Name. He longs for you to know His love, I mean, really know and understand who He is, so that, like Jesus says above, “Everything is possible to him who believes.”

Do not let discouragement overwhelm you to the point of where you lose sight of what’s most important. Discouragement is sneaky and so very subtle. Often you don’t even know it has paid you a visit until you feel like the man to whom Jesus was speaking, ”If you can…”

Let me remind you, my friend, it is not a matter of “if” with God, but rather a matter of “when”. Don’t lose sight of the big picture, God’s plan for your life. He desires nothing but good.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV84)

Hold fast and stay strong in the strength of the Lord and He will lift you up. He will never leave nor forsake you. He will surround you with songs of deliverance and engulf you in His Love. Continue seeking Him, knocking on His door, and pressing into the Holy of Holies so that you may receive a fresh revelation of who He is, for such revelations are Life and nourishment for your soul.

3 The Lord appeared to us in the past,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV84)

7 You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalms 32:7 (NIV84)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV84)

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV84)