God had placed on my heart the need for His children (including me) to grow closer to Him. I have found this little book by Andrew Murray that is entitled ABSOLUTE SURRENDER. I adapt pieces of it in this blog to get us started on this undertaking. Please follow me on my journey to draw closer to our Father, to see what delights He may have in store for us who believe!
The condition of God’s blessings is absolute surrender of all into His very capable hands. If our hearts are willing for that to be so, there is no end to what God will do for us! Your God in Heaven answers the prayers which you have offered for blessing on yourself and for blessings on those around you by this one demand: Are you willing to surrender yourself absolutely into His hands?
Who is God? He is the Fountain of Life, the only Source of existence and power and goodness, and throughout the universe there is nothing good but what God works. God has created the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the flowers, and the trees, and the grass; and are they not all absolutely surrendered to God?
God is life and love, and blessing and power, and infinite beauty; and God delights to communicate Himself to every child who is prepared to receive Him. But this one lack of absolute surrender is just the thing that hinders God. And as God, He has a right to claim it.
Every one of us is a temple of God in which God will dwell and work mightily on one condition — absolute surrender into His hands. God claims it, God is worthy of it, and without it God cannot work His blessed work in us.
Many a heart will say, “Ah, but that absolute surrender implies so much… There is so much of the self-life still remaining, and I dare not face the entire giving of it up!” Alas, that God’s children should have such cruel thoughts of their God. Do not be afraid God will change you into something you do not want — He gave you what desires you have to begin with. He knows you! Trust in God’s goodness.
Also, God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your own strength, or by the power of your own will; God is willing to work it in you. “It is God that works in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 ). The everlasting God Himself will come in to turn out what is wrong, to conquer what is evil, and to work what is well-pleasing — trust Him for this.
Did not God say to Pharaoh: “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16)? And if God said that of a heathen, will not God say it far more earnestly of every child of His?
Cast away every fear. Come with that feeble desire; and if there is the fear which says: “I am not willing for everything that may come, I do not feel bold enough to say I can conquer everything” — then learn to know and trust your God now. Say: “My God, I am willing that You should make me willing.” If there is anything holding you back, or any sacrifice you are afraid of making, come to God now and prove to yourself how gracious your God is!
Be not afraid that He will command from you what He will not also bestow.
God's Word on That 