Withholding Nothing

“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you. . . .” ~Genesis 22:15-17a

What were the two things God said to Abraham at that point of surrender? First, Abraham was obedient to God, and second, Abraham withheld nothing.  

Do you feel as though that you are stagnant, stifled or that there is more but you've hit a brick wall? It is apparent from this passage that our God blesses the person who is in complete and total obedience to what He desires. There can be nothing we possess that we are scared to give up or to give over to God. It cannot be a child. It cannot be a career. It cannot be an employee. It cannot be a relationship. It cannot be a habit. It cannot be a hurt. It cannot be a car or house. Give up whatever you're holding back from God because when you do, you will be blessed, just like Abraham was; but you must know just because you are willing to give up or give away something does not mean God will require you to do so. He does expect you to be willing as Abraham.

And this cannot be a matter of incremental obedience. It has to be a total and complete submission to God with nothing withheld. Because if we do hold back, He holds back. Grasping and withholding limits God’s blessing.  God will not fully bless partial obedience. This is not His style or expectation.  There is nothing God wouldn't do for us. He proved that He would not withhold anything from us by sending Jesus as a substitution for our disobedience. Jesus died a criminals death so that we could be reconciled to God. So this should be our intention is to give all we have to Him. 

I declared that the latter years of my life my primary goal will be to withhold nothing.  I’m giving it all to the Lord…my relationships, my finances, my career, my future, my hurts and pain, my faith, my fears, my insecurities, every nook and cranny of my life; I’m withholding nothing. 

What are you withholding from God?  How many of you are still saying “I got this?”  It could be your marriage, your children, your finances, or the plans for your future.  He is not looking for a begrudging giving up, but He is looking for you to freely let loose and walk away with no strings attached. He wants to bring you to the place of total contentment in Him. Whatever it is, surrender it all to God and allow Him to take complete control of your life.  I encourage you to make a list of the things that you are holding on to but want to release to God.  Once you have your list ready, pray over it and release everything on the list to God.  While you’re worshiping, visualize yourself placing each of the items on your list into the hands of God.  Leave it there and trust Him with it.  Place it on His altar, Withholding Nothing…

---

Enter into Worship