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Listen while you read: "I Surrender All"1 (Lyrics) |
Perhaps you are familiar with this little song of praise and adoration to God:
- Lord, You are more precious than silver.
Lord, You are more costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares to You.
– Lynn DeShazo
I have sung that song to the Lord as the dog and I walked. One day, I watched the Internet video feed from a Christian women's conference, and the song leader had the group sing the song. Then she asked the participants to change the words, and I was changed by the experience! Substitute your name for "Lord", sing the song again, and imagine God singing to you and with you.
Startling as is the thought of God singing to us and desiring us, it is supported by Scripture.
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (NIV)
The love mentioned in the verse is the Hebrew word "ahaba", meaning "affection" and "friendship" in English. It is also the root word for the Aramaic word "abba", the intimate name used by children for their fathers, like "daddy". Jesus taught His followers to address God with the word "Abba" when they prayed.
Elsewhere in Scripture, the Hebrew word "h'sed", found, for example, in the Lord's covenant given to Moses (in Exodus 34:5-7) and translated into English as mercy, grace, or lovingkindness, encompasses the Lord's devotion to us.
The Greek word "agape" hints at God's passion for us expressed as His unconditional, patient, hoping, trusting, faithful, never-failing love. Jesus Christ, called the Word, is God's thought and expression. The apostle John told us that love motivated the Father in heaven to send His Son to us in the world. If we believe the Word, we have eternal life, we have no condemnation, and we are saved through Christ. The Greek verb "sozo", translated "save", means to make whole, deliver from danger or suffering, protect, heal, and preserve.
Can you hear Him rejoice over you with singing?
Listen! I promise you that you will like the result.
Prayer: Father, by Your Holy Spirit, may we be sure of Your devotion and presence with us. Help us to be open to hear Your sweet, kind, and affectionate voice. In the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Good words Pat.
That’s one of my favorite songs. Good you’re gospelizing with it.
Dear Pat,
Thank you for the reminder of God’s great love.
Dear Pat:
Thank you for a lovely thought today.
Blessings.
Thanks for writing this devotional. I sang the song, changing the words, as you advised. It was very ‘moving’. Just to think God might think that way about me. Wow. Thanks again.
Hi Pat!
What an awesome devotional today! Sometimes we all need that encouragement that we are special to God as He is definitely Special and Precious to us!
Thanks for writing!
Keep ’em coming!
Wonderful thoughts Pat! I love that song by Lynn Deshazo – the words are so beautiful. It’s interesting, just last week I learned the Hebrew word, “ahaba” from a friend so I was a little surprised to read it in your devotional this morning. Thank you for sharing this blessing.
That approach to prayer and faith with its fresh approach in our relationship with God came new to our understanding. Thank you.
Trusting you will continue to be worthy of God’s continued blessing.
Thank you Pat. I enjoyed your devotional today. You always write such touching articles and praising our Heavenly Father.
I started writing an article but it is very emotional for me so I am having a difficult time. Not being a writer and emotional, it is not easy.
Good Job!
I am sure that insight has served you well in talking to God.
It is helpful to know and communicate in words a song with a tune that is remembered as well from the past. Nice touch with the exchange of Lord. I am sure this will bless all those who take the time to engage with the Loving Father and faithful Son through the power of the Holy Spirit today.
(England)
Beautiful!!! Thanks for this inspiring devotion today and have a blessed day!
Dear Pat
Thank you for your reflection. I was inspired and greatly encouraged and
renewed in God’s love for me. And I am so grateful to be reminded once
again of his great love and delight in us even in spite of our human
selves.
Once in a while these devotions touch my soul and this one certainly did.
Thank you and God bless you.
(British Columbia)