“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7

Every morning, we wake up with decisions to make, responsibilities to fulfill, and plans for the day ahead. Our minds quickly turn toward work, family, appointments, finances, and the many things demanding our attention. But before we allow “the world” to direct our steps, we must first submit ourselves to God.

Submitting to God means surrendering our will to His will, our plans to His plans, and our desires to His purpose. It means acknowledging that we need His wisdom, strength, and guidance in everything we do.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Notice that Scripture says, “in all your ways.” God doesn’t desire to be included only when trouble comes or when we face a difficult decision. He wants to be Lord over every part of our lives. Before you answer that phone call, make that important decision, begin that work or school project, or respond to someone who frustrates you or pushes your button, take a moment to seek Him.

This is way easier said then done, but this is why we must practice holiness in the sight of God. This means we put God first, not last. Start your morning in prayer and in God’s word, in your “secret place.”  Too often, we treat prayer as a last resort instead of our first response. We attempt to solve problems in our own strength and ask God to bless our decisions after we’ve already made them. But a surrendered life begins with seeking God’s direction before acting.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Seeking God first thing every morning changes how we approach our day. Instead of asking God to fit into our plans, we ask Him to shape our plans according to His will. Instead of reacting out of anger, we seek His patience. Instead of relying on our own understanding, we seek His wisdom. Instead of chasing our own desires, we ask what would bring Him glory. The Bible tells us we have the “mind of Christ” but if we are not in His word, then all we have is a nice leather-bound book sitting on a table collecting dust.

A simple prayer in the morning can change your perspective: “Lord, before I do anything today, I surrender myself to You. Direct my thoughts, guide my words, order my steps, and help me honor You in everything I do.”

Submission to God is not a one-time commitment; it is a daily practice. Romans 12:1 calls believers to present themselves to God as a living sacrifice. Each day offers a new opportunity to surrender our attitudes, ambitions, relationships, and choices to Him.

Sometimes God’s direction will challenge what we want. Sometimes He will tell us to wait when we want to move forward, remain silent when we want to speak, or forgive when we would rather hold on to hurt. True submission means trusting that God’s wisdom is greater than our own. Again, this takes daily practice; daily devotional, daily “denying the flesh” and “picking up our cross.”

Jesus demonstrated this surrender in Luke 22:42 when He prayed, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

If our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ sought the Father’s will, how much more should we seek Him before beginning our day?

Before you do anything this morning or tomorrow morning, pause. Open your Bible. Pray. Surrender your day to the Lord. Ask Him to lead you, correct you, strengthen you, and help you walk in obedience. Ask Him to show you what His will and purpose for you are that day. When we put God first, He puts us first, and He will give you the desires of your heart according to His will.

Through daily practice of putting God first, you will soon turn daily devotional time from a discipline to a desire to finally a delight.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4