You have a greater interest in me, than I have in myself – Thomas Brooks

The godly man gives himself up to God. The secret language of the soul is this ‘Lord, here am I; do with me what You please, I give up myself to be at Your disposal.’

There was a good woman, who, when she was sick, being asked whether she were willing to live or die, answered, ‘Whichever God pleases.’ But, said one who stood by, ‘If God would refer it to you, which would you choose?’ ‘Truly,’ said she, ‘if God would refer it to me, I would even refer it right back to Him again.’ This was a soul worth gold.

Well,’ says a gracious soul, ‘The ambitious man gives himself up to his honors, but I give up myself unto God. The voluptuous man gives himself up to his pleasures, but I give up myself to God. The covetous man gives himself up to his bags of money, but I give up myself to God. The wanton man gives himself up to his lust, but I give up myself to God. The drunkard gives himself up to his cups, but I give up myself to God. The papist gives up himself to his idols, but I give myself to God. The Turk gives up himself to his Mahomet, but I give up myself to God. The heretic gives up himself to his heretical opinions, but I give up myself to God. Lord! lay what burden You will upon me only let Your everlasting arms be under me!

Strike, Lord, strike, and spare not, for I submit to Your will. You have a greater interest in me, than I have in myself; and therefore I give up myself unto You, and am willing to be at Your disposal, and am ready to receive whatever impression You shall stamp upon me.

O blessed Lord! have You not again and again said unto me, as once the king of Israel said to the king of Syria, ‘I am yours, and all that I have is yours,’ 1 Kings 20:4.

God says, “I am yours, O soul! to save you!
My mercy is yours to pardon you!
My blood is yours to cleanse you!
My merits are yours to justify you!
My righteousness is yours to clothe you!
My Spirit is yours to lead you!
My grace is yours to enrich you!
My glory is yours to reward you!

And therefore,” says a gracious soul, “I cannot but make a resignation of myself unto You. Lord! here I am, do with me as seems good in Your own eyes. I resign up myself to your will.”