Yielding to God: The Path to True Victory

As we reflect upon Palm Sunday, we're reminded of a pivotal moment in history when Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna!" But do we truly understand the depth of that cry? "Hosanna" isn't just a word of praise; it's a desperate plea meaning "save us, please" or "deliver us." The people welcoming Jesus were expressing their belief that He was the messianic king coming to save God's people. Little did they know the magnitude of the salvation He would bring.

This Palm Sunday story serves as a powerful backdrop for us to explore what it truly means to yield ourselves to God. In our prayer lives and daily walk with Christ, yielding is a crucial aspect that we often overlook. Let's delve into four key elements of yielding to God, drawing insights from the Lord's Prayer and other scriptural teachings.

1. Seeking Deliverance from Evil

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." - Matthew 6:13

The first step in yielding to God is recognizing our need for His protection and deliverance from evil. James 4:7-8 provides a practical approach: "Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

By drawing near to God, we create a spiritual environment where evil cannot thrive. It's like the act of getting all the impurities out of something by forcing and overflowing something that is pure into it. This is our goal as we draw closer to God; His presence pushes out the debris in our lives, providing a purity of spirit.

Too often, we exhaust ourselves trying to resist temptation and evil in our own strength. Instead, we should yield to God from the beginning, seeking His kingdom first and trusting in His deliverance.

2. Recognizing God's Kingdom

"For yours is the kingdom..." - Matthew 6:13

Yielding to God means acknowledging that His kingdom takes precedence over our personal kingdoms or spheres of influence. Jesus beautifully illustrated this concept in Matthew 18:1-4 when His disciples were debating who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

In response, Jesus called a child to stand among them, saying, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This powerful lesson reminds us that entering God's kingdom requires humility and childlike faith.

Children, in their innocence, are dependent, trusting, and often content to simply be present without seeking attention. As we yield to God, we should cultivate this childlike attitude – relying on Him completely, taking our cues from Jesus, and promoting His kingdom rather than our own agendas.

3. Relying on God's Power

"...and the power..." - Matthew 6:13

Yielding to God means living by His power rather than our own limited strength. In Luke 10, we see Jesus sending out 72 followers with specific instructions: carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals. This wasn't a lesson in minimalism; it was an exercise in complete reliance on God's provision and power.

By instructing His followers to abandon self-reliance, Jesus was teaching them (and us) to carry out God's purposes while fully depending on the Holy Spirit's power and provision. When we yield to God in this way, we position ourselves to experience His power working through us in ways we never could on our own.

This principle applies not just to individuals but to entire churches. We will never fully experience God's power until we learn to rely wholly on Him and His Spirit, letting go of our dependence on worldly resources and strategies.

4. Giving God All the Glory

"...and the glory forever. Amen." - Matthew 6:13

The final aspect of yielding to God involves ensuring that all glory goes to Him. Paul paints a vivid picture of this in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, using the imagery of a Roman triumphal procession.

In these victory parades, conquering generals would lead their armies through cities, with flower petals raining down and fragrances filling the air. Paul likens believers to the aroma of Christ in this procession – to some, we're the fragrance of life; to others, the smell of death.

The key point is that in this procession, all glory goes to the conquering leader – Christ. As we yield our lives to Him, we become living testimonies of His victory over death, spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere we go.

This image of a triumphal procession beautifully connects back to Palm Sunday, where Jesus entered Jerusalem in what was essentially the beginning of His ultimate victory march. Though the events of that week didn't unfold as the crowds expected, they went exactly according to God's plan. Jesus, who had demonstrated His power over death by raising Lazarus, would soon give His own life on the cross, shedding His blood to cover our sins. Then in the darkest of moments, He would resurrect Himself from the dead!

The same power that raised Christ from the dead now lives in believers, bringing us from death to life. With this incredible truth in mind, how can we not yield ourselves fully to Him in prayer and in life?

As we reflect on these aspects of yielding to God – seeking His deliverance, recognizing His kingdom, relying on His power, and giving Him all glory – we're challenged to examine our own lives. Are we truly yielding to God in our prayers and daily walk? Are we allowing His kingdom culture to permeate every aspect of our lives?

Whether you've known Christ for years or are considering Him for the first time, the call to yield remains the same. It's an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from submitting to the One who conquered death itself. As we approach Easter, let's renew our commitment to yield ourselves fully to God, trusting in His deliverance, seeking His kingdom, relying on His power, and giving Him all the glory.

May we, like those who welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday, cry out "Hosanna!" – not as a word of praise, but as a heartfelt plea for God to save us and work through us for His glory.