Surrender Is Freedom

Psalm 51:10 ESV says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” For all the promises God gives and the goodness we experience in his presence, we have to remember to come to God in humility and ask him to help restore us to holiness.

Psalm 51 is an incredible passage to read in times of repentance and confession. However, even when we do not feel like there is a precise reason to repent, the odds are that if you take time to seek God in humility, he will show you more to surrender.

Many believers have been taught that repentance and this kind of humility are reserved for those in deep patterns of sin, who messed up too bad, or first-time Christians. The scary thing is that living with this mindset all but ensures that there will be hidden strongholds and unaddressed patterns of sin in our hearts.

The holiest, wisest, and strongest Christians are the most humble Christians. Those who are quick to surrender and repent may look foolish in the moment but grow in life-long maturity in Christ. They will see a verse like this, and their hearts will long for a chance to surrender more deeply.

I am reminded today that while surrender is hard, losing the chance to surrender is harder. While sacrificing on the alter is costly, losing the invitation to sacrifice is costlier. While being refined is painful, losing the gift of refinement is far more painful.

Later in Psalm 51:16-17 ESV, David says, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Maybe we have been taught that God despises broken hearts and have turned down opportunities to become freer out of fear of rejection.

God does not despise broken and contrite hearts. He receives and transforms broken hearts.

Will you come to him in humility today?

• Sign up for Abiding Daily text messages.

  Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired by the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.

• Order a copy of Abiding Daily: Volume One – Our first devotional book.

  Our first devotional book is available on our online store! Abiding Daily: Volume One is a devotional book including 120 prompts from the Daily Invitation. This book is designed to help believers connect with God through the word and discover more of what it means to abide in Christ. Click here to learn more.