Withholding Nothing
There’s a song by William McDowell entitled, Withholding Nothing. Some of the lyrics of the song are:
“I surrender all to You.
Everything I give to You.
Withholding nothing….Withholding nothing…(repeated several times)
I give You all of me….I give You all of me…. (repeated several times)
King Jesus, my Savior forever, I give You all of me…withholding nothing….(repeated several times)
The song is beautiful. It’s one I drive down the road and sing and cry to….there’s a problem….if we mean it —it will mean change.
Withholding nothing-means exactly that. All the cards are on the table. The question, “Is that your final answer?” becomes real.
When Jeff and I started on the road to become missionary associates to Bolivia with the Assemblies of God World Mission department, we had an idea that it would require everything. When we were first refused based on our age, we had already come to the resolute decision that Jesus Christ indeed had called us, and He now had “all of us”. And even if we were told “no” by one group, we would seek God until He revealed the plan on how to accomplish what He had directed us to do. We did–and still do, give HIM all of us.
There’s a danger that we need to be aware of that I’ve witnessed recently. God has a plan for our lives. His purpose for us to reach the lost, sharing the love of His only Son, Jesus Christ should be our priority as we go about our daily lives. However He instructs us–in our actions, words and the way we approach everything should reflect that love and devotion to Christ. But–I’ve discovered when the enemy gets a whiff of your heart’s devotion to share the Gospel, he will stop at nothing to cease your activity.
If there is anything–the tiniest fragment of rebellion, or pride, selfishness– or whatever it may be in your life, he will stop at nothing to hinder–and completely stop your journey. Once he gets into your “way of thinking” he will re-route your steps if he can. He will put up roadblocks and send messages to your heart that you can “live like you want to–do what you want to–say what you want to” and that your actions are your business–and you can still love Jesus. Friend….can I be very blunt? That’s a lie from the pit. He has already positioned some “false” friends to give you as many “atta-girl’s” and accolades as it takes to make you feel like the lie you are living and believing is the truth. It doesn’t change the lie. It’s still a lie. You cannot live like the world and still live for Christ. (And if you just got angry at this statement or a little miffed at me–then you might want to do a little self-examination.)
But that’s exactly what we try to do as believers. We want to hang on to Jesus, yet we dangle our feet in a relationship that we know is not good for us. Or we envy what another has. We are jealous over the financial blessings of another. We lose our temper with someone we love. We focus more on our “physical bodies” rather than our “spiritual bodies”. (Don’t leave me at this point—until I make my point.) We allow rebellion to manifest itself in our hearts and minds…and the devil wins when next–we stray. There is a reason why rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft–(1 Samuel 15:23)
We want God to be okay with the way we act, the things we do–and say. But He’s not okay with it. And the enemy wants to deceive our minds into thinking that He doesn’t know….but there’s NOTHING He doesn’t know.
Psalm 139:1-8 “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in–behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge it too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
There is not a day of our existence that our heavenly Father is not aware of. If we have not felt His nearness, it’s not His doing. He has been there….waiting up on each one of us. He never slumbers….after all….all of His children are not yet home.
Can I encourage you today to put a stop to the enemies lies in your head? Go to Jesus. Bow your heart in true repentance and regret and give Him access to clean “house”… don’t hold nothing back. Open wide every door and secret chamber–there’s nothing secret from Him. Allow Him to heal all the broken places in your heart–allow HIM to bring you back to wholeness….healing is only found in Him. True repentance goes way beyond tears. True repentance is allowing Christ to change us….ASKING Him to change us. And cooperating with His instructions.
Heavenly Father, today is the day we turn to You wholeheartedly. Withholding nothing. Today is the day we quit pretending that we can keep any secret from You. Today is the day we come clean. We open the box we’ve been carrying around and release to You all of our problems and faults. Holding nothing back. Saving nothing for later. We empty our baggage of issues and trials into your capable hands. Knowing that You are far more able to handle every situation. Every unsaved loved one. Every prodigal child. Every husband or wife who believe that all is lost. Each unstable life. Every disease. Every heartache. Father it is yours. We release it to You.
Now, as we release it, please replace each problem, each heartache, with peace as your Word says….that peace that passes all understanding. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray and believe~Amen.
(c) Angie Knight 2016. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Photography: (c) Angie Knight Photography.
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Very powerful words. Thank you.
Oh Angie, what a powerful message. You are right; we need to give it all to Him – the good, the bad and the ugly.