The struggle for self-preservation and independence is, in fact, the condition of a heart that is ignorant and has no understanding of, the true nature of God's unselfish and perfect love. The devil may not have the capacity to know or experience it, but every man and woman, created by God, does. Why would we take on, or follow after the insecure nature of the devil? He has tirelessly fought and struggled for self-gratifying power, with the assumption that it will in some way bring him satisfaction. And He has relentlessly tried to convince man, that independence from God, will make us powerful and controllers of our own identities and destinies. When in fact, our true identity and destiny, is only complete in the perfect, unfailing love of God. Nothing else will ever satisfy, or give us purpose.
The words of Jesus make this very clear, in John 15:4-7, "Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you." Living free, fulfilled and complete, can and will only come from a life that is totally surrendered and yielded to the nature and character of Christ. In everything, we are to surrender our all, to become one with Him.
Keeping His Words in our hearts, and His ways directing our lives, is a purposeful decision, as a result of our love for Him. It's an act of love that will always be rewarded with His manifest goodness, kindness and joy in our lives. In fact, there is nothing He will not do for us, when we choose to set our love on Him and surrender our lives to His love.
Jesus said, in John 14:21, "The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]". And in John 15:11, He says, "I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing." In John 15:7, He says, "If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you."
Let this portion of Psalm 91, become an anchor for your soul, as you yield your life to His unconditional, never failing love today. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness - trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16)
Being completely surrendered to the One who created us, is the only way to a life marked by true happiness. A long, full, productive and satisfied life will never be found independent of Him. It's the way He designed it to be, since before the foundation of the world.
