by Nikki White
I found myself lost and endlessly circling around my “name it and claim it” beliefs on the day my young mother died.
Our family had held the prayer cloths, claimed the healing, quoted the verses and refused to say “cancer.” As negative reports increased, so did our fervor, waving these talismans in the face of God, desperately trying to change His mind.
Yet despite all the faith we had mustered, death still lurked and rattled its saber in the stale hospital air. We sat waiting on cold linoleum in defeat, our backs against whitewashed walls.
Suddenly, the door swung open and the pastor entered, pushing a utility cart with a dusty TV for playing healing tapes meant to resurrect Mom’s dormant faith.
My dad sighed and stood, politely escorting the well-meaning intruder from the moments we had left. I listened to his footsteps fade down the hall and, for one soul-suspending minute, wondered if we had signed her death warrant.
As if on cue, my aunt blew into the room like a breeze of Heaven’s hope. She took one look at my mother’s still form and spoke words of life to her I will never forget, “I can almost hear the angels singing! They’re waiting to greet you, Lynn!”
Moments later, we stood in awe as Mom left us to meet her Savior face to face. With God’s presence filling the room in a way I had never experienced, I humbly and gratefully surrendered my will to His own.
The stark contrast between the two beliefs exhibited that day led me to look further into God’s Word. I found the difference lies within the posture in which we approach our Lord.
We can stand in pride, disguised as faith, with a directing finger pointed at Heaven, or we can humbly bow, with our hands outstretched, in trusting expectation.
Since that day, I have chosen to submit to God’s Sovereignty. I pray these biblical truths will encourage you to do the same.
We can stand in pride, disguised as faith, with a directing finger pointed at Heaven, or we can humbly bow, with our hands outstretched, in trusting expectation. Click to Tweet1 – Submit to God’s Sovereignty by REMEMBERING: God created us in His image, under His rule.
We were created to reflect our Creator’s image. To do so accurately, we must be focused on Him.
If we turn to anyone or anything else, that will be what we magnify to the watching world. It will be our desires they see, not the God Who fulfills them.
As the Son of God, Jesus Christ had every right to focus on and lay claim to His throne, but instead, He looked to the Father in humble submission and by doing so, showed us how to pray.
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me–nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
Accepting circumstances we do not wish to receive is an act of worship that demonstrates true faith in the goodness of a God who works all things together on our behalf, for His glory (Rom 8:28).
When we refuse what our Father has offered and demand another preferable option, we unknowingly set our feet in opposition to the good He intends for us to have.
When we refuse what our Father has offered and demand another preferable option, we unknowingly set our feet in opposition to the good He intends for us to have. Click to Tweet2 – Submit to God’s Sovereignty by TRUSTING: God already knows what we need (and what we need most is Him).
As His children, God wants us to come to Him with our requests, not our demands. Jesus taught His disciples to ask in simple trust, not religious formulas in which we insert Him into our equation to get our answer (Mt 6:7-8).
Between the asking and the receiving, we experience His presence—the greatest blessing of all.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Between the asking and the receiving, we experience God's presence—the greatest blessing of all. Click to Tweet3 – Submit to God’s Sovereignty by BELIEVING: God’s ways are always higher than our ways.
This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
In our limited understanding here on this broken earth, we cannot possibly imagine all that God has in store for His children (1 Cor 2:9), so we must trust in His timing to make good on His promises, already fulfilled in Christ.
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God, for His glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)
As we bow patiently before Christ, we develop faith that lines up in agreement with His will and His ways, for His glory.
As we bow patiently before Christ, we develop faith that lines up in agreement with His will and His ways, for His glory. Click to TweetWhen we Submit to God’s Sovereignty, We Find Strength to Persevere
God’s “yes!” (or “no”) here on earth is just a glimpse of what waits for us in Heaven.
I have witnessed countless miracles in my life and am trusting God for many more.
But even as my heart remains open to receive them, I recognize that the physical miracles I seek are temporary and I must always petition my Creator with eternity in mind.
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
One wonderful day, we will see every promise and every longing fulfilled as we bow before our Sovereign God in our eternal home. My mother will greet me, perfectly healed and whole, as God had promised.
Our arrival there that day will be based solely on His grace, not our own efforts.
Likewise, whether here on earth or one day in Heaven, we will receive all we ask for in the same manner – as a gift from God’s hand to be received, not taken.
To God be all the glory!
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” Revelations 21:3-5
-Nikki White
Nikki White is a wife of 37 years, mother of two, grammy of one, and an imperfect follower of Jesus Christ. Her love of God’s Word was planted in her heart at an early age, but it was not until she became an adult that she began to grasp the wonders of His amazing grace. She frequently runs out of Bible highlighters, lip liners, and printer ink in her desire to show the world an authentic believer. You can read more about her discoveries at her blog: justabrokenbeliever.com. You can also find Nikki on Instagram and Facebook.
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