And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 2:21
As I write this devotion on drawing from the springs of salvation, we are in the season of Advent, anticipating the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ. In Isaiah 7:13, Isaiah prophesies to King Ahaz: Hear now, you house of David!… The Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Seven hundred and fifty years later, God carried out His promise through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said that He was the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, the One who would ultimately bring freedom to the captives.
(Matthew 4:18-21) During the Advent season, I am reminded that Jesus came to earth to save us and everyone who calls on His name. The Messiah,
Jesus Christ, grew as a shoot from the stump of David (Isaiah 53) and His kingdom will have no end: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end… (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Is His kingdom ruling and reigning in your heart? Jesus came to save us from our sins and to give us eternal life. He came to rule in our hearts today as we live our lives for Him. As we surrender to God’s kingdom rule, it will affect everything we do. For example, you may no longer desire to go to places that you went before or to be with people who lead you to sin. You may notice that your life changes in ways that you never thought possible.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and He came to give the saved an abundant life. After Jesus’ resurrection, He sent the promised Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of believers. He is our Counselor and brings us peace.
As the government of Christ grows in our lives, the increase of His peace and His counsel will grow in us. The key to the kingdom rule of Christ in us is the surrender to His Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us but must be released in us. We may choose to ignore Him or release His Presence into every facet of our lives.
Over the years, the Lord has called me to surrender different parts of my life to Him. Sometimes I readily obey Him, and other times I struggle and fight surrendering to Him that which I hold dear. As I release those things, I make room in my heart for more of Christ to dwell. As I let go of those things that I think I must control, His Presence fills the void.
Today, allow His kingdom to come and His will to be done in your life as you surrender the things that have inhibited His Presence.
Heavenly Father,
Release Your Holy Spirit in me. Enable me to surrender all of my life to You so that more of Your Presence will be evident in my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
