Surrender

Surrender

Scripture Focus:
"39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”" — Matthew 26:39

Moving Forward:
Has God ever asked you to do something you didn’t want to do? I mean, you know it’s the right thing to do. You know it’s what you should do, but it’s hard to find the will and courage to move forward in that direction. Jesus knows exactly what you feel. 

A few days before the crucifixion, Jesus found himself in a similar situation. He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, and he knew that he was nearing the fulfillment of his purpose on earth. Everything he had lived for was coming to what he would soon be asked to die for. But he didn’t want to do it. He didn’t want to go to the cross. 

He was struggling. He knew what he needed to do, but his flesh didn’t want to do it.

Jesus didn't want to go to the cross.

How did Jesus handle this moment in his life? He prayed about.

It wasn’t a casual prayer. It was an old-timey ‘pray through’ prayer. He prayed until he had prayed through the conflict. He knew that he couldn’t face the external pressure if he weren’t at peace on the inside. So he prayed. And he prayed hard. As a matter of fact, Luke records this scene in the garden as follows, “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) He prayed until he was committed to God’s will no matter the cost. 

Is there something you are struggling with on the inside? Something you know God is asking you to do, but you are having trouble surrendering to His will? You may need to find your ‘garden’ and don’t come out of it until you have surrendered. It is likely that Jesus would have never been able to commit to His purpose if He hadn’t committed to praying through. Sometimes, surrendering is not just ‘raising your hands.’ Sometimes surrendering is laying down your life. 

Challenge Question:
Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to obey God?

Journal Prompt:
Write down what God is asking you to do? Make two columns on your paper. On one side, write down why you don’t want to do it. And on the other column write down what God is saying to you and the Scriptures that support His will. 

Additional Scriptures:

• Romans 12:1, 2
  

• James 4:7
  

• Luke 9:23, 24
  

Prayer:
God, give me the courage to surrender like Jesus did. I need your Holy Spirit to give me strength, humility, and the peace to obey even in uncomfortable situations. I commit my life to you. I submit myself to Your will no matter what. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash