By Keiko Chibana-Shinn | Rediscovering Prayer
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man; But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
– Psalm 147:10–11
It doesn’t take much to make God happy. We are his children and He delights in us. Just as we look upon our own children, we gain happiness not because of what they do or don’t do but because of the opportunity we have to attain a relationship with them and receive a sense of belonging in family. They are ours and we will do whatever possible to give them our best. Our Father loves us and yearns to give us His best and His best far exceeds what we could ever think or fathom for ourselves.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him…
–1 John 3:16-17
Most widely practiced religions and self-help books require us to adhere to numerous requirements and fulfill many to-do lists in order to achieve a sense of inner enlightenment. But Jesus doesn’t want your strength, your wit, your good looks, your strategies for a great life, or your good works. All God desires is your heart surrendered in the security of His presence. If we desire to love God, then let us love Him completely and take His Word as our supreme reality and our truth.
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God delights in truth because the truth sets us free. Let us open our hearts wide before Him. In him we gain peace and stability in our thinking and in our feelings. For all who wrestle through sleepless nights and anxious striving, God yearns to give you rest in the confidence of His love. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Trust in your relationship with the Lord, let Him come first in all your ways.
The love Jesus offers us is a faithful awakening through His Spirit who leads us and grants us a holy perspective for our lives. When we draw near to the true lover of our souls we begin to truly breath in life and we learn to love again. The supernatural love of God infuses our inner being with purity and a revival for our souls that leaves us continually wanting more of Him. We embark on a love story that won’t end with a broken heart nor a life marked by bitterness and disillusionment. The love of Jesus is a pure and passionate love that testifies to a daily pursuit of your heart.
To cultivate a lifestyle of surrender is to daily receive His grace to invite Him into your everything. It is to speak forth the promises of His word even when it doesn’t make sense. It’s to remain in love with who He is despite your circumstances because your love toward Him is steadfast. It’s waiting on Him in the late nights as you contend for healing, it’s when those you love have left you hurting, or when tears are all you have to offer Him because nothing seems to be going your way… And still you surrender it all to Jesus. A surrendered heart chooses to be vulnerable and expectant before the throne of grace. Your surrender becomes an experience of worship where the Lord’s presence manifests in the midst of the realities you face to deliver His peace. We surrender because even in the midst of trouble, God passionately pursues us and in every circumstance, He is able to bring us closer to Him. All we want is to hear His still small voice leading us into peace.
The voice of the Lord resounds over every triumph and can penetrate the core of every obstacle. In the gains and in the losses, Jesus remains steadfast and faithful to complete the good work He began in you. To all of us who may be battling with fear, rejection, uncertainties, and weariness of all kinds, know Jesus wants all of your heart to reveal the depth of His care for you. His words save you, heal you, restore you, and can strengthen you with a hope that endures. Your Father is not absent in the darkness that surrounds us for darkness is as light to Him. In times darkness, Jesus can bless your spirit with the grace to surrender your anxious thoughts. Embrace the potency and power of His light because it will break forth just in time.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
– Psalm 19:1-6
The Word of God is displayed for all to see. The Word demonstrates it’s true power to cut through a dividing soul and spirit, bringing His children to a place of honesty that leads to healing. One word from Him can transform your heart. Surrender your struggle, your opinions, your understanding and let Him take over. If the very words of Jesus sets a tent for the sun (the most important source of energy for life) then, the Word of the Lord is more than able to protect and shelter you in the comfort of His will. He is able to turn your darkness into light. His love never fails you. As the true lover of your soul, He races to save you, to remain by your side, to protect you, and to work everything out for your good. Wait on Him, He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Surrender your heart afresh and anew today!
Prayer: Father, I come to you asking for a renewed heart that is willing to surrender it all so that your love would fill the void, the hurt, and the uncertainties. I acknowledge you now and ask that you take first place in my life. May I trust you in the struggle and in the waiting. You are my refuge and my safe place. There is none like you, Lord. I know what you’re capable of doing in transforming my heart to make me more like you. I rejoice in you because you are with me and love me through every season. I surrender my heart to you anew today, align my spirit to the goodness of your truth that I may glorify you with my life.