Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

The Lord has such beautiful freedom for His people that is found in the posture of surrender. Yet, surrender is one of the postures of the saints that the enemy fears the most.

The conception of Jesus began with an act of surrender by a young girl,

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

And today, I hear the echo of her words on the lips of those who want God more than they want their way or their will. This sound of surrender is the same sound that resounded through the heavens, through the earth and through hell when Jesus surrender all saying,

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

Today, I feel the intercession of Jesus that is praying for His people for another great push of going low and surrendering all. We must remember that in both of these instances— Mary’s surrender and then the surrender of the One she carried in her womb— there was pain and deep personal struggle in the yielding.

I feel in my soul and my spirit that deep , internal struggle (wrestle) of the flesh and spirit happening in so many of God’s people to enter the place that says, “Be it unto me according to your word.” Or, “Father, please take this cup from me, YET, not my will but yours be done.”

We must understand that the posture of surrendering self, surrendering our will, our desires, our comforts and our lives is the sound that opens prison doors to set the captives free. Mary’s surrender, which came at such a high cost, made way for our Savior to be birthed. And, Jesus’ surrender, that came at the greatest cost that will ever be paid, made the way for all mankind to have the opportunity to walk through Him (as the open prison door) to eternal freedom.

The sound of surrender sets you free and it sets the stage for others to be set free from captivity. This act and sound of surrender is so threatening to the enemy that he is raging against it (to stop it) with great force.

This past week, for the first time in a long time, I felt like Peter when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus and he pulled out a sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers (although we know that Peter wasn’t aiming for merely an ear but to take his life). I have seen things, felt things and come face to face with that “provoking spirit” that made me want to draw a sword rather than bow down in surrender.

But, as we look at the progression of Peter’s act that drew a sword— it began a domino effect in his soul that caused him to deny Jesus three times. The pain of choosing the sword over surrender was by far the greatest regret of Peter’s life.

This is one of the greatest temptations that believers are facing in this hour. Will we, in the midst of great pain, great discomfort and great personal sacrifice release the sound of the sword or the sound of surrender? I am not talking about the sword of the Spirit but a sword that draws blood, reacts in revenge or takes matters into our own hands.

We must understand that our personal act of surrender (that often comes in a time of great pain and personal crisis) has a far greater effect on mankind then we will ever know. Young Mary’s act of surrender was a very personal act in a private room, and yet, thousands of years later is still resounds with an echo that strengthens us to do the same today.

You may be in a place of great personal pain. You may be wrestling against your thoughts, your will— your soul to say, “Not my will but Your will be done.” You May even want to stand up and draw a sword to stop what is happening before your eyes with a weapon of force (trying to control the pain and control the immediate repercussions) but today I hear the intercession of Jesus for you that is giving you the strength to bow down and surrender to the will of the Lord.

I hear in my spirit the sound of sword returning to it’s sheath, the sound of knees hitting the floor in absolute surrender and even the cries of personal cost, great sacrifice, of pain and of the words, “Be it unto me…”

This is the sound of the disciples of today saying, “I choose Jesus over all other things— even me.” There is a cost in this sound but the cost and sacrifice is creating a frequency that will set you free to truly live and it will echo through eternity with a remembrance like that of the great heroes of faith.

What you sacrifice and surrender in this moment will effect the rest of your life and will ripple throughout heaven, earth and even hell with a sound of freedom.

Put back your sword of the flesh and pick up the sword of Spirit, which is surrender to His word. We do not understand today what our surrender will do for our tomorrow, our children’s tomorrow and mankind’s tomorrow. As you repeat the the words, “Be it unto me according to your word.” And, “Father, not my will but your will be done.” You are shifting the narrative. For each believer that does this “their ripple” will be added to every ripple being released that will created a tidal wave or tsunami that overtakes the enemy.

The intercession of Jesus for you specifically is happening even now. He sees your pain, He knows the cost and He will never leave you or forsake you as you give your all (even when you don’t understand). It will be worth the cost— fruit will come forth from the seed of sacrifice that you put into the fertile soil of personal pain and watered by your tears. He is worthy of it all.

“Not my will, but Yours be done!”

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Once again, thank you to those who have stood with this ministry in prayer and financial support during 2020. We need you now more than ever to complete the work that He has asked us to do.

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