Saying yes to God is a faithful, obedient response to His promises and call. James 5:12 assures us that our yes must be so trustworthy that other vows are unnecessary.
Lent is a time for reflection; a time to consider all the wonderful things the LORD has done for us. It’s also a time to reflect on our response to His call. Have we been obedient and faithful to His Word? This Lent, as we contemplate the passion and resurrection of Christ, may we also consider if we’re truly saying yes to God.
God doesn’t want our oaths; He wants our follow-through.
God doesn’t require more than a simple yes or no from us. He already knows whether we’ll stand by our word. In fact, Matthew 5:37 tells us that anything more than yes or no is from the evil one. Likewise, James 5:12 instructs us not to swear by heaven, earth, or any other oath, but to let our yes mean yes and our no mean no.
When we say yes to God, we’re demonstrating our immediate obedience and trust. Our yes tells God we’re confident He’ll provide the strength we need to overcome resistance and the courage we need to surrender our lives to Him.
Immediate Obedience
Our yes conveys our immediate obedience. And though saying yes may lead to discomfort as we follow God’s will, it also brings us fully into His blessings and grace.
Our yes means that we rely on God rather than on ourselves. It means believing in His promises and walking in faith, as 2 Corinthians 1:20 states: All of God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ.
Saying yes requires trusting God over doubt, fear, or difficult circumstances. Trusting that His path is better and that, because of His grace, we’re better too.
This Lent, consider areas in your life that detract from your obedience to God. Pray for His grace and mercy to intercede, so that your obedience to Him is immediate and absolute.
Overcoming Resistance
The world is filled with temptation and distraction. Things that take us away from God. However, God’s closeness is absolute. He is always with us. Even when our flesh says no, God is there to help us overcome; to turn every no into a yes.
God promises to fight for us and that through Him, evil has no hold over us, nor does the world.
This Lent, consider what takes you away from God. Pray for His guidance and for the strength to overcome all that doesn’t align with His plan for your life and for your salvation.
Surrendering to Salvation
Our yes is an act of surrender that provides a spiritual, life-giving connection with God (1 Peter 1:23).
Through Christ’s sacrifice, we’re born again, into an incorruptible life, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth found in God’s Word. Every yes reaffirms our faith and our commitment to God.
This Lent, pray for the courage to surrender fully to God, for the desire to belong wholly to Him, and for the willingness to say yes and to follow through.
A Simple Yes or No
A simple yes or no,
is all the LORD requires.
For He already knows our hearts.
Our motives and desires.
There’s nothing more we need to add,
to make our words more true.
Nothing more we need to say.
When yes or no will do.
May every yes we offer Him
stand firm all on its own.
May every yes come from a place
where seeds of trust are sewn.
Trust that He is present.
Trust that understands.
That willingly submits to His,
authority and plan.
Without embellishment, may we,
With humble spirits seek,
to uphold in all sincerity,
the yeses that we speak.
To never willingly say no
when He calls us to His side.
To live and breathe His majesty.
To abide where He abides.
May every single action,
then from our yeses flow,
bringing glory to His name,
so that the world will know,
that we are sons and daughters,
of the one and only King.
That we serve a mighty Kingdom,
where our GOD forever reigns.
Amen.
JN Fenwick (©2026)
JN Fenwick (©2026) | mothjournal14 | All rights reserved. | I DO NOT WALK THIS RECOVERY JOURNEY ALONE.
I’m JN Fenwick.
Wife, mom, but more importantly, a recovering alcoholic with a grateful heart. For years, I struggled, not just with alcohol, but with an eating disorder and the burdens of guilt and shame. On March 22, 2018, I surrendered my life to Christ. I was 51. God did not forsake me. He welcomed me, as undeserving as I am. He did not see my brokenness. Instead, He saw my potential. My Recovery Journey is one of Faith. From the ashes of my failures, God built a fire in me. A fire that guides each step I take. My journey is yours. My healing can be yours, too. God is a mighty warrior. You can take comfort in the promise that the Lord will fight for you and grant you peace.
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