Weekly Musing - Pat

Let or Surrender -

What’s the difference? Does it matter?

First, the definition of surrender:

From the Oxford Dictionary, “cease resistance to an enemy or opponent to fully submit to their authority.”

The biblical definition, “to fully yield your own will, desires, and control to God's authority and plan.”

I don’t know about you, but for me surrender felt like force, losing and waving a white flag and then there’s the troublesome word “submit”. So, “surrender” meant loser and less than. Even when the desire was there and I tried and sang the song, “I Surrender All”, it felt hard and impossible. The question of “how” plagued me. I believed it was up to me alone. I kept trying and kept failing. Maybe it was ego and pride putting down their foot and refusing to yield. Or, maybe my thinking and understanding was just off.

BUT God!

After God revealed and changed my life with His love, my thinking took a turn.

It is interesting the word “surrender” is not found in the New Testament. I wonder why, how about you?

Whether in the dictionary or in the Bible the word “let” carries the basic meaning of “allow”. It is the first word God spoke. “Let there be . . .” and was spoken 14 times in the creation story.

In order to allow, there has to be something to allow (provision), and there was. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain BEFORE the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8.

Jesus is the Word God spoke. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. ALL things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” John 1:1-4 NKJV.

Our God is Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide. The provision is always present before the need arises. God is I AM!

When I “let” it is simply “letting” from what already IS! It is actually an act of confession - agreeing with God.

Therefore, I will let:

The words “It is finished” rule. John 19:30.

Father love me as He loves Jesus. John 17:23.

The truth of being a partaker of His divine nature transform my life. 2 Peter 1:4.

His gentleness be seen in me. Phil. 4:5.

The peace of Christ reign in my heart. Col. 3:15.

The mind of Christ be my mind. Phil. 2:5.

His light be seen in me. Matt. 5:16.

His life be my armor. Eph. 6-11.

His strength be made perfect in my weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9.

His thoughts be my thoughts. Phil. 4:8.

Christ be the Everything I need for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3.

Christ be my Sabbath Rest and cease striving to be my own source. Heb. 4:9.

The Spirit produce the fruit of the life of Christ in me. Gal. 5:22-23.

As Christ is so am I in this world; can be my certain hope. 1 John 4:17.

Join me and choose “let”. For it is in the blessed gift of “letting” we find provision and rest for our worn and weary souls. Not just a day, but a life of true Sabbath Rest!