The following is a devotion from my message series 10 Steps to Freedom. I hope these devotionals help you experience lasting freedom in Jesus!

STEP TWO: day 3

Surrender and unleash the Spirit’s power within you

Back in the Old Testament, a man named Abraham had been given a promise, the promise of a son. Twenty-five years later, after many years of praying and waiting, God fulfilled that promise and gave Abraham a son named Isaac. And then this happened:

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’” Genesis 22:2

This is not how Abraham planned on his fatherhood going. He finally had what he’d wanted his entire life, and now God was asking him to give it up. God was asking Abraham to surrender Isaac. As difficult as it was, Abraham did just that:

“He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy.” Genesis 22:9-12

God didn’t ask Abraham to surrender because he wanted to punish Abraham but because He wanted to bless him. And God did exactly that, blessing Abraham abundantly and renewing His covenant with him. When Abraham surrendered to God, God blessed him above and beyond. When we surrender to God, He blesses us with freedom.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Abraham is an extreme example of what it looks like to surrender to God. What are some things (i.e. possessions, relationships, control) not as extreme as your own children that you’ve struggled to surrender to God?

2. Surrendering ultimately hinges upon trust. Do you really trust that if you surrender fully to God that He’ll take care of you and meet your needs?

You can read other devotional entries for 10 Steps to Freedom here.