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OUR DAILY BREAD             Tuesday, Aug. 15, 1995    
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READ:   Philippians 4:10-19 
 
         
                   A GOOD SURRENDER 
 
     "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 
 
                                - 1 Timothy 6:6 
 
"Surrender" is not a very popular word.  We use it in 
reference to the humiliation that accompanies defeat. 
When a nation loses a war, it may be forced to surrender 
unconditionally, and has no say in the terms of defeat. 
 
Yet there is a type of surrender that is dignified and 
appropriate.  Paul understood it in two aspects.  First, 
it means surrendering our desires and will to the  
heavenly Father.  Jesus is our example, for He did the 
Father's will in everything (Jn. 6:38). 
 
The second aspect is our acceptance of God's supreme 
sovereignty.  This is marked by our realization that 
things do not always go our way as God works out His 
will on earth.  Our business goes through good times 
and bad.  Our health may suffer.  Loved ones will hurt 
us, or leave us, or even die.  Our fondest dreams may 
never be realized. 
 
In the spiritual sense, to surrender means that we 
trust God to do what is best.  It is, as Paul said, 
choosing to be content "in whatever state I am" 
(Phil. 4:11-12), and knowing by faith that God will 
take care of our needs (v. 19).  That kind of faith 
isn't easy.  But it's the only way to overcome dis- 
satisfaction and anger about uncontrollable circum- 
stances. 
 
Perhaps it's time to say "I surrender" to the Lord 
and to His perfect will and plan. 
 
                                -- David C. Egner 
 
        Take my love -- my God, I pour 
        At Thy feet its treasure store; 
         Take myself -- and I will be 
          Ever, only, all for Thee. 
 
                                -- Havergal 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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 Surrender is victory when we yield to God. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 58-60

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