Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” God created everything for His own benefit and purpose including each one of us. We were made by God for God. We are to bring honor and glory to the Lord with our lives. We belong to Him! The word withhold means refusal to give something that is due or desired. We often withhold ourselves from God when He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to purchase us by His death on the cross. It is a powerful thing to belong to the Lord of all creation and to know He is our Father. To be a child of God comes with daily benefits, rights, and privileges.
Isaiah 43:1-7 proclaims, “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that no matter what we go through our Father will go through it with us? He will never leave nor forsake us. We were created for His glory and he is proud to call us His sons and daughters. However, He is a jealous God and wants every part of our heart and lives.
Have you given God your life or are you withholding certain things from Him? Do you say the following, “You can have this part, God, but not that part. I like that part too much.” “You can have me on Sunday mornings, God, but not on Saturday nights. I am having too much fun.” “You can have this characteristic, but not that one. I am too prideful to let that part of me go.” “If I give you this . . . can I keep that?” He doesn’t want a part-time child or follower. He doesn’t want a friend with benefits. He wants every nook and cranny of our lives. He expects you to relinquish all control and give it all to him. Recently I read a story about a four-year-old girl named Jenny, who more than anything, wanted a string of pearls. Her parents made her save her nickels and dimes until she had saved up the $1.95 she needed for what appeared to be a string of pearls. She bought them and she loved them. She wore them everywhere: To kindergarten. To Sunday school. Even to bed. One evening after her daddy finished reading her a bedtime story, he asked her: “Do you love me?” “Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you.” “Then give me your pearls.” “Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess – the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail…” “That’s OK, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night.” About a week later, after story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, “Do you love me?” “Daddy, you know I love you.” “Then give me your pearls.” “Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday…” “That’s OK. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.” A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. “What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?” Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, “Here, Daddy. It’s for you.” With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her a genuine treasure. Life cannot be measured by what is got but rather by what is given. Let’s give our Father everything He purchased when He gave His only son to die in our place. Don’t withhold God’s possession. Allow God to be the Lord of your life, and you will reap all the benefits!