Who's on the Throne?

We just finished our Advent reading and it was a familiar story from Genesis 22. God told Abraham to take his long awaited son and sacrifice him on the alter. As we know, Abraham obeyed God and headed out for the place. After reading the scriptures, I asked the children some questions. Then, they asked me. They asked me would I be willing to sacrifice my baby, Gracie, on an alter if God told me to. I had to be honest!!! I told them that I would be obedient to a certain point, but I don't think I would have made it to the point that Abraham did. OK, I am seeing even more as I am typing. God rewarded Abraham's total obedience, not partial obedience!! So, what is total obedience? Physical action, but not heart action? What about our mind and all the questions? Can you imagine the questions that Abraham must have had running through his mind that night? He obeyed before he got the answers though. How many times do I say and think that I am actually obeying God, when I am only doing so in part!?! How many times do I tell my children to obey me immediately and fully!?! God is so good!!! I really needed to hear this tonight! I love it when God speaks to me like this!!! Ok, back to the original story. We discussed how God had given the ultimate gift in His Son, Jesus. Then I asked them what they could give back to God. All three of them had the same answer and it seemed to be so easy to say, " I can give my life to Him". As they rattled off those words so nonchalantly, I could see that they didn't comprehend the full extent of what they were saying. So, I made a word picture. Their heart is their castle and they invite Jesus in to stay. But, are they willing to let Him sit on the throne, or do they reserve that privelege for themselves? What about on a daily basis? On pondering these questions, I began singing this praise song taken from Psalm 51:10-12:

Create in me a clean heart,

O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart,

O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence

O Lord;

Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of my salvation,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Good night to everyone and God Bless!