So be it.
Yes, the language of Wesley is slightly different from ours. We rarely say something like "so be it." We might think of this phrase used in an argument one cannot win and a phrase like "so be it" might come with an exclamation point. Our modern language might employ something like "okay." I told you our language is different. Okay doesn't do it justice either, for what I believe Mr. Wesley was saying was "I agree with all my being, body, soul, spirit, strength that what I have prayed I will hold as a sacred promise and covenant." The influence of such a phrase being said like that comes from the early pages of our Bible. As the people are being formed to be truly the people of God, they learned what is call The Shema, "Hear, O Israel, The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shall love the LORD thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deut. 6:4-5). This was later confirmed by Jesus as the greatest commandment and a second one like it, "Thy shall love your neighbor as yourself."
So be it. It is an affirmation of commitment. It is the seal of a covenant or contract made with God. It is an agreement to hold to all that has been said, almost like "And I will, to the best of my ability, with God being my help..." God deserves nothing less and we should give at least our all.
PRAYER: Almighty God, let me and the one who prays this as their own, be one who says with all of my being, that I will do what is expected of me. You know my life and my weaknesses, yet You, unlike others, see the potential in me, so bless me so that I may be a blessing to You and Yours. May my life and my being truly be the words of this precious prayer, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it." I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
