2 Timothy 1:12  “……For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”.

Am I fully persuaded that God is able to keep, (to take care of), those things that I have committed to Him?  Those things that I am unable to perform, change or deal with that only He has the ability to keep sovereignly, and adjust at His set time.

When I have exhausted my human effort and hoarded resources to no avail, surrender to God is the only option left.  Experience teaches me the hard way that my last option should have been my first……let go, and let God!  In quietness and confidence, in surrender, humility and faith I commit into Father’s hands those “things” that only He can perform.   The trial of my faith teaches me to trust Him and my choice brings the peace of God to my heart.

Colossians 3:15  “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”.   LET…..surrender to God, choice has consequence.   Right believing produces right choices, right choices usher in God’s peace.  God’s peace in my heart is independent of any negative circumstance.  Jesus had a peace ruled life because He was totally one with His Father.  He did not, however, have an easy life.  He was criticised and hounded by the religious leaders of His day, mocked, scorned and misunderstood by many.  In the midst of all of life’s storms, we too, can access this divine peace amid chaos.  Indeed, we can learn to trust in our Lord Jesus and discover that HE is our peace.  As we trust Him, He pulls down the strongholds of the enemy’s territory of doubt and unbelief.   Darkness flees the Light.

Romans 11:36 declares  “For of Him,and through Him, and to Him are ALL things, to whom be glory forever”.    In a Believer’s life, this is the “grid of God”.    This verse clarifies that all that comes my way, Father permits it for His divine purposes in my life.   When adverse circumstances arrive, I should respond by taking stock and consulting God, instead of reacting and blowing up!  This needs to become our lifestyle.  Indeed!……it is not learnt overnight!    Jesus constantly lived among adverse circumstances, but His heart was at rest because He was in constant communion with His Father, always seeking to be obedient to His will.

Hebrews 5:8 declares of Jesus, that He learnt obedience by the things He surrendered to/allowed in His life.  He recognised the grid of God, the grid of His Father’s permission in His circumstances.   If the Son of God had to learn obedience as the Son of Man here on earth, so do we, for He is our Pattern Man.  How do I learn obedience?  When God speaks, sense knowledge and reason have to die.  My reasoning will prevent my obedience to God.  My heart will scream, “It doesn’t make sense!  That can’t be God!  Did God say?…..”…….and the “still, small Voice”  is silenced by my reasoning.

The reason of the heart, is the treason of the heart.   Treason is the action of betraying, or seeking to overthrow, the ruling government.

When God speaks, blind obedience ushers in His peace in my heart and I know I have done God’s will.  The results are up to Him, that is not my business.  God requires us to learn obedience to His voice.  Jesus said to the devil, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”,  Matthew 4:4.   When God speaks to us, it is a proceeding word, a living word.  As we obey, His word fulfils itself because God’s words are creative.  My part is to obey, not to look for results.  I may see the result if Father permits, but not always.  The test is to learn obedience to the voice and not allow my reason to dictate.  When I have done His will, His peace floods my heart and He presences me with divine joy.   In obedience I find I am one with my Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and I am learning to recognise His voice.

God is not a respecter of persons, it is a whosoever gospel, (John 3:16), but He is a respecter of men who believe in Romans 11:36……“of Him, through Him and to Him are ALL  things”,  and take on board the next verse in Romans 12:1   “I beseech you brethren therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.   There is a narrow way, and few there are that find it.  It is not popular as self and pride have no hiding place there.  Please God, may I be one of the “few that find it”, without thinking I am special.  There is only One who is special, only One who is wonderful – our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour.  He captivates our hearts,“sets eternity there” and ruins us with His love.  Indwelt!  Christ in you, the hope of glory…..all for His glory!   His work in our hearts continues, enjoy your journey joyfully, ever upwards, with our beautiful Jesus.   Our confidence is that “He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him……”