Examples of Surrendering to God's Will in Scripture and Life
Surrendering to God's Will in Scripture and Life
Surrendering to God's will is a recurring theme in Scripture, exemplified in the lives of biblical figures and Jesus Christ himself. Jesus set an example of resignation to God's will, as seen in his prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11) [1]. This act of surrender is not limited to Jesus; various biblical characters demonstrate it in different circumstances.
The concept of surrendering to God's will involves submission to His sovereignty and purposes (2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10; Ro 9:20,21) [1]. It is commanded in Scripture, with Psalm 37:7 exhorting believers to "be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." This submission is not passive; rather, it involves active obedience to God's law and will (De 11:27; Isa 42:24; 1Pe 1:14) [4].
In the face of adversity, surrendering to God's will is a demonstration of faith and trust. Job's response to the loss of his children and possessions is a classic example: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) [1]. Similarly, the apostle Peter encourages believers to "commit their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" when suffering according to God's will (1Pe 4:19) [3, 6].
Surrendering to God's will also involves self-denial, a theme closely related to obedience and following Jesus (Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24) [2]. This self-denial is not limited to personal sacrifice but includes denying "ungodliness and worldly lusts" (Tit 2:12). It requires mortifying sinful lusts and living no longer to the lusts of men (1Pe 2:11; 4:2) [2].
The biblical concept of vows is another aspect of surrendering to God's will. A vow is a solemn promise made to God, and Scripture regulates this practice (Smith's Bible Dictionary) [5]. Jacob's vow at Bethel is an early example (Ge 28:18-22; 31:13). Vows can be a means of devotion, abstinence, or destruction, and they are made in various circumstances, including times of crisis or commitment.
In the New Testament, Jesus' obedience to God's will is a central theme. He came to do God's will, and his obedience is an example to believers (Heb 5:8; Php 2:5-8) [4]. The writer of Hebrews notes that Jesus delighted to do God's will, and his law was within his heart (Ps 40:8; Heb 10:5-7) [8].
The act of surrendering to God's will is closely tied to prayer and obedience. Believers are commanded to pray and seek God's will (Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6) [7]. In prayer, believers submit their desires to God's sovereignty, acknowledging His control over all circumstances.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:19 (Geneva1599) — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their soules to him in well doing, as vnto a faithfull Creator.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Vows — A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing. The earliest mention of a vow is that of Jacob. (Genesis 28:18-22; 31:13) Vows in general are also mentioned in the book of Job, (Job 22:27) The law therefore did not introduce, but regulated the practice of, vows. Three sorts are mentioned: 1, Vows of devotion; 2, Vows of abstinence; 3, Vows of destruction. + As to vows of devotion, the following rules are laid down: A man might devote to sacred uses possessions or persons, but not the first-born of either man or be”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 4:19 — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 40:8: I delight to do thy will, O my God,.... This he came down from heaven to do, and this he did do, by preaching the Gospel, and working miracles; and above all by obtaining eternal redemption for his people, which he effected by fulfilling the law, becoming a sacrifice, and suffering and dying in their room; all which were the will of God, and grateful to him, and in doing which Christ took the utmost delight and pleasure, Joh 4:34; yea, thy law is within my heart; either the whole moral law, under which he was, as man, and the surety of his people; and which was writ”