Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 17:4, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work …”

Background

Most of us do not like to die to our desires, agendas and personal preferences. It is often a very difficult thing because selfless living is not something that comes naturally to us as humans. It’s like the little girl who kept reaching for the ornament on the tree. Her dad kept warning her and finally asked her why she kept reaching for the ornament. She responded, “Daddy, it is so hard!”

Application

In John 17:4 Jesus prays toward His finished work on the earth, even though He has yet to experience the cross, grave, resurrection or ascension. How can He pray in past tense in that verse concerning the things He has yet to experience? The answer is because He has already been to the garden and surrendered to these things in prayer. This is clearly seen in John 12:28 where Jesus prays, “Father glorify your name.” He is thus surrendering to the Father’s Kingdom desires, purposes and plans. He is saying to the Father – “Let’s do it, I will die to myself for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done in and through my life.” The result of that kind of praying was redemption for a lost humanity. What could happen if we surrendered or died to self in prayer?

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask the Father to show you things you need to die to so that His Kingdom may come through your life. Pray for the Father to be glorified as you surrender to His will in your daily life.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words