On Sunday, Pastor Jason shared with us the symbolic importance of Jesus riding in on a donkey to this Passover celebration. Riding in on horses was reserved for kings in times of war, where they were actively demonstrating power and the ability to conquer — yet in times of peace, a king would ride in on a donkey to show great humility and surrender.
Jesus was the ultimate picture of humility throughout His entire life, but especially leading up to the cross. Seeing Him walk in humility and choosing a donkey to ride in on with “peace” made me wonder if we ever choose this as well. Or are we quick to demonstrate our false power and control through the strength of horses?
I love these words of King David that demonstrate what it is like to surrender in humility and put our trust in God alone:
Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:6-7 NLT
Any boasting of strength should be rooted in the Lord, yet many times, we are found boasting in our own “strength.”
As fallen humans, how often do we try to take the reigns and walk in with our own authority in a situation, pushing to assert ourselves or what we bring to the table, and running ahead of God in the process?
I know I am guilty of this. I like to plan out all my steps and before I know it, I’ve left God and His plan in the dust behind me. Even in those situations, God has been so kind to protect me and care for me, but it is never without a hard lesson learned. I almost always look back and say, “I wish I just listened to you in the first place, God!”
I wonder what it would look like this week if we “rode in on a donkey” in the hard circumstances we are facing in life. Before we even approach the day, or the meeting, or the conversation — we choose humility. We say, “God, I surrender this to you even before I step in that room.” I wonder how much more we would reflect the heart of Jesus if we took this small but mighty step of faith.
Setting aside our abilities, what we bring to the table, even our talents or gifts, and saying: “Jesus, whatever you want in this situation is what I want, too.”
Don’t you think that would mean a lot to Him? To see our surrendered heart and to be able to work with Him in His mighty ways?
This verse keeps me coming back to that heart of surrender, because I need to remember that approaching situations with humility actually means that I will receive even more grace:
“And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
James 4:6, NLT
I don’t know about you, but I never want to be on the opposing side of God! I never want my pride to get so much in-the-way that I am now on the opposing side, fighting against the God of the universe. Undoubtedly, that will always be a huge loss.
Instead, let’s hold our plans with a completely open hand…surrendering our hopes, dreams, and expectations to the One who can do so much more with it than we can. Let’s pray, “God, I surrender this to you” before we even step into a situation. Our surrendered heart is a gift to our great God.
Jesus was the ultimate picture of humility throughout His entire life, but especially leading up to the cross. Seeing Him walk in humility and choosing a donkey to ride in on with “peace” made me wonder if we ever choose this as well. Or are we quick to demonstrate our false power and control through the strength of horses?
I love these words of King David that demonstrate what it is like to surrender in humility and put our trust in God alone:
Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:6-7 NLT
Any boasting of strength should be rooted in the Lord, yet many times, we are found boasting in our own “strength.”
As fallen humans, how often do we try to take the reigns and walk in with our own authority in a situation, pushing to assert ourselves or what we bring to the table, and running ahead of God in the process?
I know I am guilty of this. I like to plan out all my steps and before I know it, I’ve left God and His plan in the dust behind me. Even in those situations, God has been so kind to protect me and care for me, but it is never without a hard lesson learned. I almost always look back and say, “I wish I just listened to you in the first place, God!”
I wonder what it would look like this week if we “rode in on a donkey” in the hard circumstances we are facing in life. Before we even approach the day, or the meeting, or the conversation — we choose humility. We say, “God, I surrender this to you even before I step in that room.” I wonder how much more we would reflect the heart of Jesus if we took this small but mighty step of faith.
Setting aside our abilities, what we bring to the table, even our talents or gifts, and saying: “Jesus, whatever you want in this situation is what I want, too.”
Don’t you think that would mean a lot to Him? To see our surrendered heart and to be able to work with Him in His mighty ways?
This verse keeps me coming back to that heart of surrender, because I need to remember that approaching situations with humility actually means that I will receive even more grace:
“And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
James 4:6, NLT
I don’t know about you, but I never want to be on the opposing side of God! I never want my pride to get so much in-the-way that I am now on the opposing side, fighting against the God of the universe. Undoubtedly, that will always be a huge loss.
Instead, let’s hold our plans with a completely open hand…surrendering our hopes, dreams, and expectations to the One who can do so much more with it than we can. Let’s pray, “God, I surrender this to you” before we even step into a situation. Our surrendered heart is a gift to our great God.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.