You were called not only to start, but to finish. A boundary line has been established for both. Drawing lines are good. They set markers, they establish goals, they create a submission. Are you submitted to a goal? Who are you submitted to?
Some see submission as a negative verb, but it is not always gloomy. Let me tell you what submission is not. It is not control, though some have used it in this way.
A submitted person is one who is yielded and ready to conform to the authority or will of others. We are instructed to, ” Not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12: 2)
- Being submitted and conformed to the Lord will transform our life.
Paul is discussing with the church his rights as an apostle as being free. He then concludes his conversation to running his race. He says, “I don’t run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ” (1 Corinthians 9: 26) Paul ran with his eyes on the goal of ending well.
- Keep your eyes on the goal, the finish line. Rewards will be given.
Paul disciplines his body makes it submissive to strict training, like an athlete. Athletes often have to refuse things that may hinder their goals.
What’s the goal? To finish well! (Shared from 1 Corinthians 9, Modified)
Amos positioned himself to be submitted to the Lord. As a prophet, he was shown some things spiritually. He was shown a swarm of locusts, fire, and a plumbline. The role of the prophet can see and/or hear. Sometimes, their position is to intercede and pray. Amos’s intercession caused the Lord to relent in bringing destruction.
Messengers of the Lord must be submitted to Him, and to what He tells them to do. Amos prayed, and the Lord held back devastation.
God said to Amos, “I am setting up a plumbline among my people Israel.” (Amos 7: 8)
What’s a plumbline? In Biblical days, an architectural tool. A heavyweight is attached to the end of a cord, the attached to an appropriate height. This line is pulled tight, establishing a reference, making sure it is straight for construction. Simply put, it’s a measuring line, a tool used to establish a true “lining up.” A level tool from Home Depot wasn’t available yet!
God was establishing a plumbline among His people. He was declaring an end to their attempts to justify their crooked ways.
We can’t move the lines that God has established. Just learn to yield and submit to them. They are for our good, not to restrict us but to align us. We all get out of line, some more than others. (Shared from Amos 7, Modified)
Elijah is submitted to God as He has him proclaim judgment to Ahaziah, the new king of Israel. He tells him he will not live and that he will not leave the bed he is lying on. He releases fire from heaven and consumes the king’s men.
- Fire released in the old covenant is a fire that consumes and destroys. For Jeremiah, it was God’s Word that was like a burning fire in his bones. It’s a deep, God-inspired passion.
- Fire released in the new covenant is the fire that restores and empowers through the Holy Spirit. It’s a fire that burns off dross, to reveal the pure.
- Same element released, different results established. Only our God can do that.
Elijah is on his way with his submitted servant and assistant, Elisha. They are walking from Gilgal and Elijah tells Elisha, “Stay here. The Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha says, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you. So they went to Bethel.” (2 Kings 2: 1-2)
- True submission will cause one to go over and beyond their call of duty.
Elijah is approached by the company of prophets and they tell Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take our master from you today?” (2 Kings 2: 3) Elisha knew but he couldn’t talk about it. He wouldn’t go there, emotionally.
Again, Elijah wants Elisha to stay, as he goes to Jericho, this time. But the submitted Elisha goes with him. The last place he journeyed to is the Jordan. Elisha insists on going with him, as well.
Standing in front of the Jordan, Elijah rolls up his cloak and puts the tip of it into the water, and it rolls back, allowing them to cross over. Elijah knows his time is short and asks Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken?” (2 Kings 2: 9) Elisha answers, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” (2 Kings 2: 9) He wanted what his mentor had, and more.
- Being submitted and devoted to your calling and to a mentor, may pave the way to cross over into a double-portion anointing.
There was a lot of crossing over going on that day. Elijah is about to cross over into glory; and Elisha is crossing over into his prophetic destiny, with a stronger mantle than his teacher. Being submitted led them there.
The chariot of fire comes and takes Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha is now released into his destiny. He stands before the Jordan river, puts Elijah’s cloak in the water and it opens up again. They have crossed over and into.
- There are things that will be opened up to us, as a result of our submission.
Elisha’s first official act in his prophetic calling , documented and seen, is when he throws salt into the bad water, that has been previously cursed and unproductive. As Elisha throws salt into the water, the Lord proclaims through the hand and mouth of Elisha, “I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.” (2 Kings 2: 21)
- Prophetic acts of obedience and proclamation bring forth healing by the hand of God.
- We, as believers, are the salt of the earth, bringing healing and producing by the word and hand of God.
- It all begins with the power of submission. (Shared from 2 Kings 1-2, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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