Notes of Faith March 13, 2025
Victory Through Surrender
So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.
Judges 6:24
It’s hard to watch the images of war, captured by photojournalists, broadcast daily on the news. George Washington said, “My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.” Sadly, it has yet to be banished.
There is one war, however, that we can win by surrendering—the rebellion of the human heart against God. Prior to our salvation, we were enemies of God. But when we realize He is just and good—a God of righteousness and yet of mercy—and when we surrender our lives to Him, we’re filled with a peace that transcends understanding. We have peace with God.
The Lord Himself is our peace. If you are fighting against God and His marvelous grace, surrender to Him today. The Bible says, “Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand” (Romans 5:1, PHILLIPS). The Lord is peace!
It is a paradox. I can’t explain it, but…you are never so much your own self as when you are most His.
E. Stanley Jones
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Spiritually surrendering is not giving up…in fact, it may take more discipline, energy and strength than physical surrender. To be under not only the influence but control of God through the Holy Spirit, is a difficult endeavor. He is always there to guide, direct, yes even control, if we will yield to His will for our lives. He will only offer us that which is righteous and perfect. On the other hand, not everything that we choose to do in our own will is righteous and perfect. We are indeed made in the image of God, made to reflect His character that others might come to Him and yield to His grace and authority in their lives. May we pray for greater yielding in our own hearts and minds and for many lives to be transformed by the renewing of their minds as God gives grace to believe in Jesus!
Pastor Dale