Surrender: A devotional on desperation, humility, and giving over

“ Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! ” — Revelation 10:5-6 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, If we were to hear these six words pronounced from Heaven today, how would we be compelled to change our course of action, our priorities, our way of living? How would I be motivated to change how I live, what I think about, what I put off until tomorrow? Time pressure has a way of clarifying what matters. It has a way of producing results and revealing true character. We see it on the battlefield and in the boardroom. On the gridiron and in the grad school. There will be a day when time grows short and the gap between “now” and “the end” is thin. If that was today, what would I change? Lord, whether these words will be utt...

"When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.” — Revelation 8:1-2 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, After Your hand cracks open the seventh and final seal from the scroll, there is complete silence in Heaven. All shouts of praise cease. All cries of “Holy! Holy! Holy!” are stilled. All prayers of the saints are quiet. For a full half hour, there was silence. Even silence is worship when presented before You. In a world where everything is constantly moving and something is always making a sound, silence is rare. Even in my life of worship to You, it is mostly composed of words, prayers, praise, and activity. Yet here is a moment—an extended moment—of complete silence. Is it the calm before the storm? Is it a time of complete awe and reverence? Is every being within Heaven unable to utter a word? The silence is worship to the King of Kings. It is...

 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” — Revelation 7:13-17 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This is the Great Multitude of Tribulation Saints—believers in Christ who were saved after the church is raptured to Heaven. They are from every nation, tribe, people and language, a multitude so great that n...

 “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” — Revelation 14:6-7 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, It’s a fitting passage for Christmas, isn't it? An angel flying around the globe proclaiming the eternal gospel to everyone on earth below. His words, “Fear God and give Him glory” are reminiscent of the words announced on the night of Your arrival to earth: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14). This time, however, the angel’s words are followed by a pronouncement of judgment rather than peace. “The hour of his judgment has come.” The Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water, who came to bring...

“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” — Revelation 6:12-17 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, As you open each of the seals on the scroll that determines and describes humanity’s conclusion and earth’s ending, each seal is God’s judgment on mankind. Humanity is receiving the end ...

 “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” — Revelation 5:1-5 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, John wept and wept because there was no one worthy anywhere in heaven or earth who could open the scroll held in the Father’s hand. And then one of the elders announced the solution and the great news—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, is able to open the scroll. Think of it. You alone are worthy. No one in all of creat...

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” — Revelation 4:8-11 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Heaven is a place of non-stop, 24/7 worship unto You. Day and night, the seraphim surround God’s throne and declare Him holy. The Greek word used for Almighty is  “pantokrator” which conveys the idea, “he who holds sway over all things.” I have never read that de...

  “ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” — Revelation 3:10-11 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Your words to the church in Philadelphia are incredibly encouraging and edifying. They have suffered patiently. They have kept Your word to persevere. Since they have endured patiently and persevered steadfastly, Your reward is to keep them from the “hour of trial” that is going to come on the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. This hour of trial is a moment of time, certain, definite, and fixed, that is going to arrive. When it does, it will be a time of testing to prove or examine the faith, virtue, and character of those who dwell on the earth. This church is being told they will be protected from that hour. You state very clearly, “I am c...

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.” “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” — Revelation 2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 3:1; 3:7; 3:1...

 "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” — Revelation 1:1-3 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This final book within my Bible is an  “apokalupsis,”  a revelation from and of You. It is a revealing or an unveiling of You and of the events which “must soon take place.” This is the Word of God and it is Your testimony. There is a blessing that comes to the one who reads and hears the words of this prophecy. There is a blessing if I take these words to heart “because the time is near.” Near is such an interesting word when spoken by Almighty God who is outside of space and time and views ever...

 "He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.” — 2 Peter 3:17-18 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, As I conclude the letter of 2 Peter, I stand forewarned of the Day of the Lord. It is coming. I am not unaware. Therefore, I am to be on my guard and watch out for the spiritual error and lies of false teachers and lawless people who want to carry me away in their error and falsehood. In order to stand guard and not fall from my security in You, I am to grow in You. The environment where I am growing is in Your grace. Your grace is limitless, it’s infinite. It is not Your grace that grows, rather it is in thi...

 "just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” — 2 Peter 3:15b-16 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Peter recognizes that the encouragement he is sharing about the Lord’s patience meaning salvation is echoed by the Apostle Paul in his letters which he wrote with God’s wisdom. Peter acknowledges that some things Paul writes are hard to understand and that unlearned and unsteadfast people distort these Scriptures as they do with other Scriptures. The word Peter uses means “to twist, to torture, to put to the rack, to pervert.” These false teachers who do not correctly interpret what Scripture says are twisting it to say what they want. They are forcing Scripture into an unnatural position and making ...

 "Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,” — 2 Peter 3:15a Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, I forget that what seems like Your delay is actually Your patience. And the reason for Your patience is for people’s salvation. Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” It is Your patient waiting and Your kindness that opens the door for Your children to repent and turn to God. If You were to return today to exact judgment on the earth, billions would face an eternity in hell. Your patience gives people an opportunity to hear the Gospel, in some cases again and again, and make a decision about their eternity and whether to submit their life to You or remain in rebellion to You. Your patience means salvation for those I love and continue to pray for. I also forget that Your timing is perfect. I want You to come right now to encounter ...

 "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” — 2 Peter 3:14 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This is the third time in three verses that Peter uses the word  prosdokáo  — “looking forward.” We are looking forward with watchful anticipation and expectation to the Day You return. Since we are watching expectantly, we are to endeavor and exert diligence with speed, effort, and labor to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace. This statement echoes Peter’s earlier call to “make every effort to add to your faith,” in 2 Peter 1:5. These two words “spotless” and “blameless” are both positional and practical. 1 Peter 1:19 says You were “a lamb without blemish or defect (spot).” You offered Your life as the perfect sacrifice to redeem my life. Therefore, my blamelessness is already secured in Christ. I’m blameless because You took away my blame. That is my position. Yet these...

 "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” — 2 Peter 3:11-13 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Everything will be destroyed. The word Peter uses in vss. 11 and 12 translated in the NIV to “destroyed” and “destruction” is lyo  (λύω). It means "to loose something that is bound, to loosen, undo, dissolve anything bound, tied or compacted together.” The word is translated to English as “loose, break, unloose, destroy, dissolve, put off, melt, break up, break down.” Here’s what is fascinating. Peter says that the Day of the Lord will bring about the dissolving and unloosening of the heavens by fire and the eleme...

  “ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ” — 2 Peter 3:10 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Repeatedly, You said You would be coming like a thief. Revelation 3:3, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Again in Revelation 16:15, “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” You warned Your disciples to stay awake and be watchful. Luke 12:39-40, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Whatev...

 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:8-9 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, You are patient. These two verses are dense with theology and revelation of Your heart toward mankind. First, what seems like forever to us is but a short time to You. You are outside of linear time. You see past, present, and future all at once. Nothing is long. Nothing is short. All things are equally near and present to Your view. Psalm 90:4 states, “A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by.” You see time with a perspective we lack; the delay of a thousand years is just a day in light of eternity. You see time with an intensity we lack; one day with You can contain the immensity of a thousand...

 "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." — 2 Peter 3:3-7 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, In these last days, there are plenty of scoffers. If one shares a warning, whether it be mentioning the increasing and intensifying birth pains we are witnessing or clearly articulating Your soon-coming return, scoffers not only scoff but they repudiate the one giving the warning. They cannot see the signs of the t...

 "Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles." — 2 Peter 3:1-2 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Peter wrote this second letter to the churches to serve along with his first letter as reminders to literally stir up their pure and sincere minds. An impure mind doesn't need stirring up or stimulation. But a pure mind needs to be stirred and stimulated for continuous wholesome thinking. That's why I come to Your Word. Your Word stimulates my mind. My redeemed way of thinking needs a continual reminder to stay on course, to remain pure in my thoughts, and to recall how I have chosen to live. Peter also wants his readers to recall the words spoken by the holy prophets long ago and the commands given by You through Your apostles. The words o...

 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” — 2 Peter 2:20-22 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Peter uses a word here to describe what a believer has escaped by knowing You. He uses the word  "miasmata" which means "corruption, pollution, things that infect, pollute, or defile." As believers in Christ, we have escaped this sin-sick world of miasmata  and its polluting infection upon us. But if a believer gets entangled in that pollution all over again and is overcome by it, they are actually worse...

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” — 2 Peter 2:19 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, You came to break and free people from this cycle of sin and depravity. Why is it so alluring? Why do those who are so enslaved by sin seek to bring others down into that prison cell with them? They call it "freedom" — it's literally "fancied liberty, the license to do as one pleases." True freedom is living as we should, not as we please. These people promise a false freedom and a licentious liberty to others while actually being in complete bondage to depravity, corruption, and destruction. Galatians 6:8 describes this depravity, "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction (corruption, depravity); whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." If we are sowing seeds to please our flesh, the harvest we will re...

 "These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." — 2 Peter 2:17-18 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, I used to live this way. I was one who was an empty spring and just a vaporous mist driven by the storms of life. I used to mouth empty and boastful words and tried to entice people to sin. Often I was good at it, even those who were trying to escape from sin. My heart hurts thinking of those I harmed and drew away from You. Lord, thank you for forgiving me, saving me, and bringing me to the truth. Lord, sometimes those old thoughts drift back in, during daytime imaginations and during nighttime dreams. Lord, bring me back to You today; free of the blackest darkness that still hunts me down. May I walk in Your light today, unencumbered by the lus...