SURRENDER: 40 DAY JOURNEY

By Kia Brown

Surrendering to God is an intentional act that has to be practiced everyday no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. Every day, every minute, every second we must acknowledge God’s authority and yield to it. In all circumstances we must yield to God’s will. When we do this, He is able to work on our behalf. He is not going to just come in, we must first acknowledge and ask Him in.

Surrender is the first book of the ‘Promise and Fulfillment’ Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781300952473

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

PROMISE & FULFILLMENT

PROMISE

Let's take a closer look at the word 'promise'.

Merriam-Webster defines 'promise' in its noun form as a pledge to do or not to do something specified, ground for the expectation of success or improvement. In the verb tense, it means to engage to do, bring about, or provide; to suggest beforehand; to give ground for expectation.

The Hebrew word for 'promise' is dabar (daw-baw), which means to arrange, to speak, to subdue. It is most commonly used as the Word of God itself; God's thought and will. In Hebrew, they use dabar or promise to describe what had been said out of the mouth of God.

In Greek, the word for 'promise is epaggelia (ep-ang-el-ee-ah), which means an announcement, divine assurance of good, message, promise, summons, an undertaking to do, or give something. It frequently stands for the thing promised". Signifying a gift graciously bestowed, not a pledge secured by negotiation.

In other words, we can have great expectations of success to whatever God says. His Word is divine assurance of good in whatever He suggests. Whatever He says, whatever He promises is a gracious gift and He will make providence for it to manifest. God only makes promises, nothing that comes forth from Him is idle chatter. He does not operate in the area of the superficial.

FULFILL

Now let's take a closer look at the word 'fulfill'. Merriam-Webster defines 'fulfill' in the verb tense meaning to put into effect, to bring to an end, to satisfy.

The Hebrew word for 'fulfill' is male (maw-lay) which is also used in the verb tense meaning to fill, to fulfill, to overflow. It is commonly used to mean to be full in the sense of having something done to one. It is also used to signify filling something to the full extent of which is necessary, in the sense of being successfully completed.

In Greek, the word for 'fulfill' is pleroo (play-ro-o), which means to fill, meaning to satisfy, to execute (an office), to finish (a period or task), to fulfill, to complete.

Fulfillment is the act or process of fulfilling. For example, the fulfillment of a promise.

FORTY

The number forty is used in the Bible to represent a period of time of testing or judgment. At the end of the set time comes God's fulfillment of the promise for the testing or judgment. Scripture tells us there is a set time for everything. God uses this set time as the process of forming His opinion by discerning and comparing our hearts, thus making His judgment. The Bible makes reference to the number forty more than 150 times. Forty is characterised as a benchmark and a standard by which something can be measured or judged during a time of profound transformation. A benchmark to arouse God's people to action.

Here are some examples:

- The great flood, it rained forty days and forty nights. (Gen 7:4,12,17)

- Twice Moses went up to Mt. Sinai receiving God's instruction for forty day and forty nights (Ex 24:18; 34:28)

- The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years (Num 14:33,34)

- Elijah fasted and journey forty days and forty nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8)

- God appointed kings Saul (Acts 3:21), David (2 Sam 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:42) to reign over the United Kingdom (Israel and Judah) each for forty years.

- Jesus fasted, prayed and was tested in the wilderness forty days and forty nights before starting His public ministry.

(Mt 4:2-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13)

- Jesus remained on earth forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3)

Yet still, the Bible does not specifically break down any significance or meaning for the use of the number forty, or any number for that matter. However, through reading and studying scripture, we can find a clear consistency and pattern revealed. The reference of forty is used as a precursor in establishing a set time for favour and grace; a set time for profound change and cleansing and purifying of the heart in order to receive a new assignment for a new journey in life.

God is looking to do a new thing in and through us (2 Cor 5:17). He wants to take us to new levels and new dimensions in Christ Jesus. Take this set time to draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. He