APRIL 2022.
A Calm Surrender.
The vast majority of global headlines in recent times have reflected the turmoil of the covid pandemic and the various conflicts that have raged in many parts of the world. The turmoil around us has a way of creeping into our hearts, and it is quite natural for us to respond with a level of trepidation. Tumultuous dealings with the surrounding nations was a recurrent theme for the Israelites. Although surrendering to their enemies would bring an end to a particular war, they knew that oppression and captivity would probably follow. Isaiah 30 was written in the context of a war between the Israelites and the Assyrians. In an attempt to avoid subjection to the Assyrians, the Israelites called on the aid of the Egyptians to save them. As Isaiah points out, their grand failure was seeking alliance apart from the Lord. Their turmoil intensified because they were unwilling to find strength by quietly trusting in the Lord (Isaiah 30:15). As Christians, we are not called to surrender to evil, nor are we called to make alliance with any corrupted source of power or comfort to ease our pain. We are, however, called to surrender to the Lord. Quite opposite from a surrender that leads to oppression and captivity, surrendering to the Lord is a calm and sweet surrender that leads to life in abundance.
The vast majority of global headlines in recent times have reflected the turmoil of the covid pandemic and the various conflicts that have raged in many parts of the world. The turmoil around us has a way of creeping into our hearts, and it is quite natural for us to respond with a level of trepidation. Tumultuous dealings with the surrounding nations was a recurrent theme for the Israelites. Although surrendering to their enemies would bring an end to a particular war, they knew that oppression and captivity would probably follow. Isaiah 30 was written in the context of a war between the Israelites and the Assyrians. In an attempt to avoid subjection to the Assyrians, the Israelites called on the aid of the Egyptians to save them. As Isaiah points out, their grand failure was seeking alliance apart from the Lord. Their turmoil intensified because they were unwilling to find strength by quietly trusting in the Lord (Isaiah 30:15). As Christians, we are not called to surrender to evil, nor are we called to make alliance with any corrupted source of power or comfort to ease our pain. We are, however, called to surrender to the Lord. Quite opposite from a surrender that leads to oppression and captivity, surrendering to the Lord is a calm and sweet surrender that leads to life in abundance.
Will you surrender afresh at the foot of the cross this coming Easter?
One in Christ
Pastor Simon
