Andrew Murray: TheOne Thing

Absolute surrender—let me tell you where I got those words. I used them myself often, and you have heard them numberless times. But in Scotland once I was in a company where we were talking about the condition of Christ’s Church, and what the great need of the Church and of believers is; and there was in our company a godly worker who has much to do in training workers, and I asked him what he would say was the great need of the Church, and the message that ought to be preached. He answered very quietly and simply and determinedly:

“Absolute surrender to God is the one thing.”

The words struck me as never before. And that man began to tell how, in the workers with whom he had to deal, he finds that if they are sound on that point, even though they be backward, they are willing to be taught and helped, and they always improve; whereas others who are not sound there very often go back and leave the work. The condition for obtaining God’s full blessing is absolute surrender to Him.”

Andrew Murray (1828-1917) in Absolute Surrender (Chicago: Moody Press, 1895) 2. Download this classic work in PDF form freely here. 

This is the first of seven posts from this book at this time. Each day I will conclude with the Surrender Novena (in bold italics). Pray it daily. See what happens.

I am visiting my parents in Florida so the header photos for the next few days will come my visit here and a boat ride and other scenery we have enjoyed.

Can you find the one thing hidden in the photo above (hint: a Limpkin bird).

Let’s explore an idea today (and this week) and the implications for our generosity: “Absolute surrender to God is the one thing.”

Today’s Scripture reveals that Ahab held nothing back from Ben-hadad, King of Aram, his army, and the 32 kings with their horses and chariots accompanying them. Consider these powerful words in his reply to them: “Just as you say, my lord the king. I and all I have are yours.”

Had Ahab not taken a posture of absolute surrender, it would have been the end of him and his people! The same is true for every human. Think about that. 

When we don’t take a posture of absolute surrender, we effectively choose the path of death and destruction because none of us can make it on our own.

Surrender is not a sign of weakness but strength. Notice what the unnamed wise man in today’s post teaches us about this. When we take a posture of absolute surrender, we choose the pathway of improvement and receiving God’s blessings. 

Now let’s relate this to generosity.

God gives all of us the opportunity to surrender all we are and all we have to Him for His purposes. But He does not force us to do it.

Those who choose the path discover an unimaginable life where they enjoy and share God’s material and spiritual blessings. Those who don’t get the best they can muster.

God wants more for you and me. He wants us to grasp the life that is real life.

Before I conclude today, imagine yourself standing before 33 kings and their armies. What would you do? Absolute Surrender, right? Now imagine yourself standing before God. Now do you see why absolute surrender is the one thing?

Take a walk today. On your walk, ask the Holy Spirit to alert you to any area of your life that is not surrendered to God. Listen and surrender whatever the Holy Spirit says.

Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Amen.