I suppose I have read the Bible ever since I could understand words; as a matter of fact I cannot remember a time that I hadn't been able to read something from the pages of that wonderful, Holy, perfect book. Yet, I have always focused solely on what is there: never on what isn't. I have never really considered that I could gain comfort from something I could not find. Amazing isn't it? God has written something so powerful, so mighty, and so perfect that we can get knowledge and gain revelation by something that cannot be found within its pages.
The other day I was studding the Bible, looking for something to write about this week, when I started searching for the word "surrender." No matter how hard I looked, no matter how I tried, I couldn't find the word anywhere. Out of 791,328 words there is not one reference to surrender! I was astounded. Since the Bible is our final authority, our guide to living and moving in this carnal world, and it does not contain the word surrender. The Author of this Holy Book must not want us to ever consider it. We are not called to surrender, we are called to be victorious in Jesus Christ. For as it is written: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)
It is that simple. The Lord has given us this word, that we should "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart" (Ps. 31:24) and again "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph. 6:10). We are made to be over-comers in the Name of Jesus Christ and to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (II Tim. 2:1) God has made no provision for our surrender, we cannot fail. We must go on pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14)
Beloved, let us not surrender our birthright; let us not surrender our calling; let us not surrender our lives; but let us learn from the saints of old and wax "valiant in fight" (Heb. 11:34) and stand strong in our place as victors in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us be courageous, let us be powerful, and let us always look to "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2) |
