Save Reflections
Keep the ones that speak to your heart.
Gary G. Hoag
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”— Philippians 2:12-13
“God works to will, and He is ready to work to do, but, alas! many Christians misunderstand this. They think because they have the will, it is enough, and that now they are able to do. This is not so. The new will is a permanent gift, an attribute of the new nature. The power to do is not a permanent gift, but must be each moment received from the Holy Spirit. It is the man who is conscious of his own impotence as a believer who will learn that by the Holy Spirit he can live a holy life."
Andrew Murray (1828-1917) in Absolute Surrender (Chicago: Moody Press, 1895) 40. Download this classic work in PDF form freely here.
This is the seventh 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.
As you may know, I am pheasant hunting in North Dakota from 5-9 November 2026, and praying for 3 birds per day or 15 total for meat for 2027.
This photo features a frosty morning outside Mott, North Dakota, last November. If you look closely, a pheasant just flushed just after sunrise. Cold and beautiful.
I quoted part of today’s Scripture earlier this week when I said, “If you are not trembling, you are not doing it right.” And I don't mean trembling from the cold.
Today’s meditation provides a fitting climax to our exploration of absolute surrender.
In Christ, we all have the new will that we need. But the power only comes from staying connected to the Holy Spirit.
We have the will as a permanent gift, but we could not handle having power as a permanent gift. With our will, we chose rightly, and we only get power as we depend on God.
With eloquence, Murray reminds us to be “conscious of our own impotence.” Apart from Jesus we can do nothing, but with him all things are possible (John 15:5).
Notice how generosity comes into view.
We can choose to live simply, give sacrificially, serve humbly, and love generously at all times and all occasions because the Spirit of God will empower and sustain us.
How will you exercise your new will? And on whose power are you depending? If we get the will and the power right, we discover what it means to live a holy—set apart, obedient, faithful—life.
Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Amen.
Share this Meditation:
Your Reflection Journey
Make It Personal
Create a free account to build your own rhythm of daily reflection. Save the meditations that speak to you, explore the full archive, and join a community of fellow seekers.
Full Archive
Read every past meditation.
Conversations
Share thoughts with fellow readers.
Personalization
Tailored reflections for your journey.
Receive the Daily Meditation
Receive a daily reflection rooted in Scripture to help you rediscover the joy of generosity.
