Merciful Monday: Keep Calm and Submit to God

²¹“Submit to God, and you will have peace;
    then things will go well for you.
²² Listen to his instructions,
    and store them in your heart.
²³ If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—
    so clean up your life.
²⁴ If you give up your lust for money
    and throw your precious gold into the river,
²⁵ the Almighty himself will be your treasure.
    He will be your precious silver! (Job 22:21-25)

A lot of times, when we hear the word “submit” it is often used in derogatory terms. Although it is impossible to live life without every submitting to someone or something, the word seems to have a negative connotation. Submission is most often associated with slavery and surrender. The true definition of the word, however, is “to yield oneself to the authority or will of another” (Merriam-Webster).

The Bible talks a lot about submitting to authority figures such as spiritual leaders, parents, teachers, etc. But Job 22 tells that most of all, we need to submit to God.

I believe that submission is the principal crux of Christianity. Nearly every Bible lesson illustrates this point. When Moses was told to go to Pharaoh and command him to let the Israelites go, he had to submit to God in order to free the people. When Joseph was told that Mary was pregnant, he had to submit to God in order to father the greatest man that walked the earth. And when Saul went blind, he had to submit to God in order to be healed. I can go on and on with stories, but the point is that submission is the first step to recovery! By submitting, we openly admit to God that we need his help because we can’t do __________ (insert whatever problem you are facing) all alone.

Ok you may be asking: “What are the benefits of submitting??” Job 22:21 says that these things will happen when you submit to God:

• You will find peace
• Things will go well for you
• You will be restored
• The Almighty himself will be your treasure

Doesn't that sound so comforting? I know that I struggle with all of these things sometimes, but most of all with finding peace. I always say that I am easily annoyed (God is working on me though!). I let things get to me and I focus on small details, but it is so awesome to know that when I submit to God and let him handle things for me instead of trying to work them out on my own, he will give me HIS peace which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

“Do not be stubborn, as they were, but submit yourselves to the Lord. Come to his Temple, which he has set apart as holy forever. Worship the Lord your God so that his fierce anger will turn away from you” (2 Chronicles 30:8).

Today’s Challenge: When problems arise for you today (no matter how big or how small), remember to worship the Lord and submit yourself to him. He will lead and guide you; he will help you find peace.

Merciful Mondays: Jael

^“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 4:31