Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3
Journal: What does it mean to rely totally on God as your help? How do your efforts to help yourself get in
the way of that? What would total
surrender to him look like?
Reflection:
“The Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1, NIV) As long as we keep trying to do it
ourselves—even just a little bit—we will continue to get in the way of what God
wants to do in and through us. It’s not
until we come to the end of ourselves, until we get to the point of total
surrender, that we are out of the way enough to offer him the time and space he
requires to move and to act. Finally
waving the white flag is a necessary act if we ever want God to be the
one to lead and guide—and help. He
typically doesn’t step in while we are still trying to help ourselves.
I guess
that’s why Eugene Peterson translates the first Beatitude (in Matthew 5:3) as:
“You are blessed when you get to the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his
rule.” (The Message) Or as a wise saint said many, many years ago: “So long as
you hold on to even a little hope of achieving something by your own powers,
the Lord does not interfere. It is as
though he says: ‘You hope to succeed by yourself—Very well, go on trying! But however long you try you will achieve nothing.’”
There is no such this as letting
go half way. It is all or
nothing. When will we ever learn?
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: Forgive me, O Lord, for continually trying to
do it on my own. Forgive me for my
refusal to fully let go of control—as if I ever had it to begin with—and
totally surrender to your love and care.
Help me to fully trust in you, no matter how scary that might be. Lord, help!
Amen.
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