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“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” – 1 Samuel 14:7

 

It’s rare to hear the words “I am with you heart and soul” from anyone.  These words fit best into fields of battle where opposing forces are in combat and where acts of bravery and valor are required to win the day. But on that day, as they face the Philistine enemy which exceeded them in every aspect of earthly power, Jonathan heard these words from his armor bearer.  The two of them stand there with only one of two swords Israel possessed about to head uphill to engage the enemy.  This sort of action can only take place when ultimate trust and surrender come together.

In Romans 12:1, Paul urges his hearers to remember God’s mercy and calls them to surrender their lives as living sacrifices to God.  Paul just finished outlining the process of ‘grafting them in,’ bringing them into the Kingdom of God and giving them a precious and nourishing relationship with God (Romans 11).  This isn’t something God had to do.  This was solely the mercy of God, demonstrated by Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of all, and given to the undeserving.

Just like the Romans, it would do wonders for us if we could remember the mercy God’s shown to us and surrender once again, living our lives as a sacrifice to God.  While surrendering isn’t a natural response in humans, especially in our own culture, it is a critical part of our relationship with God. “I Surrender All” is a classic hymn and speaks highly about surrender. As you read the lyrics to this song, present it as a prayer of surrender to God.

I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

 All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

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By Rich Obrecht 

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