Daily Devotional - Yielded and still

1 John 4:7 ESV NASB
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

“Yielded and still”

Adelaide Pollard, born in 1862 in the US, had faithfully served God for many years through her gifts of teaching and writing. Her longtime desire, however, was to be a missionary in Africa. Finally the details were worked out and she was ready to set sail. But then, unexpectedly, she was forced to cancel her plans. Not being able to go left Adelaide disappointed and depressed. God spoke to her heart and she penned these words, “Mold me and make me after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still.” Her complete poem became the well-known hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” The prophet Jeremiah had also experienced depression over his circumstances as recorded in the book of Lamentations. He had seen Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians and God’s people placed under their harsh rule (Jeremiah 39:1-14, 52:12-14). But, like Adelaide Pollard, instead of sinking deeper into sorrow, Jeremiah became yielded and still. He realized that his people had been sinning against God. That’s something Adelaide owned up to, as she acknowledged that “man’s own will is the basic sin he commits against God.” Through repentance and looking to God for guidance, both songwriter and prophet were able to see this truth: God is sovereign (Lamentations 3:37). It’s about His will, not our own. Instead of complaining and becoming bitter (v.39), they wisely chose to examine their ways and “turn back to the Lord” (v.40). This is a wise formula for us to adopt when we face unexpected changes in our plans. As we seek God’s ways, not our own, we’ll find ourselves becoming quiet and still. In time, the people of Judah were freed and rebuilt the city of Jerusalem. And, in time, Adelaide Pollard was permitted by God to minister for Him in Africa— yielded and still. —Tom Felten

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