The world typically holds in high regard people of strong iron-like wills. Their strength, normally accompanied with great pride in self, however, doesn’t impress God. Whether they are found in business, politics, social or religious arenas, God may in reality hold such in low regard, “for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Sam 2:30). All must ultimately surrender to God (see Isaiah 23:9 and 45:23).
RELEVANCE
Paul was a great leader. He confronted much adversity in his life. Anybody who desires to live God’s way certainly will. Paul had the wisdom and humility, though, to want to know who was opposing him: God or Satan. He recognized that there were times God even used Satan to buffet him—keep him humble and in check, for his own good (2 Corinthians 12:7).
He, like David, sought God for truth and to be found totally clean before God (see Psalm 19:12-14 and 51). Both knew how to approach God’s throne and be surrendered to Him.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face” (Psalm 89:14).
Paul, therefore, prayed God would demolish strongholds obstructing truth, reveal and cast down “every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” and bring him into God’s captivity— compliance and alignment with Him and the way of His kingdom.
He and James both encouraged believers to live in the fear of the Lord to apprehend truth and wisdom. They learned that being surrendered to God required being single-minded, uninfluenced by the philosophies of the world and traditions of man, which in reality are hollow and lack the substance of God’s truth.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8-10).
Paul, as well as many of the apostles, endured much suffering. They learned, though, that submitting and surrendering to God ultimately brought victory and triumph. Hear Paul celebrate victory in Christ: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
REFLECT AND RELATE
What force may be opposing you? Ask God to reveal truth. Surrendering to Him at the Cross is always the path to real strength in Christ.
REFERENCES
1 Samuel 2:26-36; Isaiah 23:9; 45:23