In times of sin and self-absorption, we do not pray and praise God. Our hearts rebel against what God intends for our growth in Christ (Jer. 17:9, Rom. 7:19). We react to circumstances instead of respond to God.
As a child of God, we are miserable in the cycle of reaction. Eventually, in the depths of our misery, we cry out to God for forgiveness asking Him to renew our heart in relationship with Him.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, He revives us to respond as we:
S—Seek God’s presence—ask God to renew our hearts.
A—Acknowledge God’s sovereignty—include God through prayer.
B—Believe God’s character—praise God for His forgiveness.
E—Expect God’s faithfulness—anticipate that God is changing us.
R—Receive God’s grace—accept God’s will as life-giving and eternal.
S—Surrender to God’s love—embrace God’s plan for hope, joy, peace, and purpose.
It is natural for us to react to circumstances. But it is spiritual for us to learn, practice, and mature as we respond to God.
Throughout creation cycles refresh and renew. As we live from faith to faith (Rom. 1:17), the SABERS cycle rejuvenates through scriptural responses that honor and praise God as we relate to Him.
We seek God’s presence, awed at His holiness and aware of our need for forgiveness, guidance, and purpose. (Ps. 139:13-14; Is. 55:6-7; Heb. 11:6)
We acknowledge God’s sovereignty, as we pray, agreeing that He is all we need. Everything else pales in comparison and that our place of refreshing and renewal is in God alone. (Jer. 32:17; Acts 3:19, Rev. 4:11)
As we believe His character, we give Him praise and trust the truth of His word in our lives. (Deut. 32:4; Eph. 1:6-9; 1 John 5:20)
When we expect God’s faithfulness, we assume that God is changing us. We anticipate His work in our will and actions for His glory and our eternal good, as He matures us to be more like Christ. (Rom. 8:24-25; Phil. 2:13; 2 Cor. 4:15-18; James 1:2-4)
As we receive God’s grace, we accept God’s will as life-giving and eternal. We embrace the work of the Holy Spirit, Who gives us the abundant life Jesus died to provide. He overflows us and draws others to Himself. (John 14:25-27; Rom. 15:13; 1 Tim. 1:14-17)
In surrender to God’s love, we yield our will to His perfect, eternal will. By faith, we grasp surrender as victory and agree with Paul:
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
God supplies all that we need, and we give Him glory. As we pray, praise, and trust God’s purpose, our lives reflect God’s love to others (Rom.12:2; Rom. 12:9-12; Heb.13:15-16).