In review of James 4:6-7 I'm reminded that “'God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.’ Surrender to God!”(CEV).
Pride makes me self-centered and leads me to conclude that I deserve all I can see, touch, or imagine. It creates greedy appetites for far more than I need. I can be released from my self-centered desires by humbling myself before God, realizing that all I need is his approval. James tells me to humble myself before him, yield to his authority, commit my life to him and his control, and be willing to follow him.
I often make plans without even consulting God. Then I pray and ask God to bless my them, even though I never asked him to take part in them. I just assume that my plans are his will. Then, when my plans don’t happen on the timetable I want or they don’t happen at all, I get upset and disappointed with God. This is called pride, and God hates pride.
There are probably a lot of people I wouldn’t want to oppose, but I really don’t want to be opposed by God. There’s no way I’ll win that one. When I’m prideful, the Bible says I’m in opposition to God at that very moment. In fact, I’m operating as an enemy of God anytime you get full of pride. That’s how serious it is. So, what does it mean to surrender yourself and your plans to God?
Romans 6:13 tells me to, “Give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes” (GNT). Surrendering means saying, “God, I’m going with your plans for my life, not my own. I’ve got plans, I’ve got dreams, I’ve got goals, I’ve got ambitions, but I know that you put me on this earth for a purpose, and I’m going to intentionally choose your plan for my life instead of my own.”
Surrendering to God is the best path to success because instead of him becoming part of my plan, he will make me a part of his plan.
In summary, God opposes me when I'm proud, but he will be kind to me when I'm humble. Therefore surrender to God. Pride makes me self-centered and leads me to conclude that I deserve all I can see, touch, or imagine. I need to make plans in consultation with God. I can't just assume that my plans are his. I need to learn to surrender to God says, I know that you put me on this earth for a purpose, and I'm going to intentionally choose your plan for my life instead of my own. Surrender on my part is the best path to success because instead of him becoming part of my plan, he will make me part of his plan.
Today I will consider what areas of my life need to be surrendered to God. Just making plans without considering what God’s purpose for me is much like opposing him. I need to pray before planning and ask for his guidance, then consider what his general will is. With his guidance, make plans that he is in line with. Father I pray for you to help me think through areas that I haven’t surrendered and reconsider if I’m moving based on my own pride or if they are in line with your will for my life. I pray also for your wisdom and guidance in my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. This I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.
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