When You Go to Battle, Trust God to Fight for You
By Rick Warren

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV).

Any lifeguard will tell you: You can’t save anyone as long as they’re trying to save themselves. If you try, that person will just pull you down, too. So you have to tread water until they finally give up, and then it’s easy. You just put a hand over their shoulder, and you swim back to shore.

It's the same with our relationship with God. When we try to fight through life’s troubles on our own, we sink. Instead, God wants us to stop fighting and trust him to do the work.

God taught Israel’s army that lesson. Three enemy armies were preparing to battle against them. Israel was far outnumbered. But instead of worrying, King Jehoshaphat led his army to worship God by depending on him to save them.

He prayed, “We don’t know what to do—we are begging for your help” (2 Chronicles 20:12 CEV).

Then God said to them: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV).

God wants the same thing from you: He wants you to stop fighting battles and let him fight them for you.

The story in 2 Chronicles continues: “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you . . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV).

Aren’t those strange orders? God is telling Israel’s army to go to the battlefield, but not fight.

In whatever you are facing today, that’s what God is asking from you, too. He’s asking you to stand strong, in quiet confidence in him. He’s asking you not to be afraid or discouraged.

If you run from your enemies—from your problems—those things never will get better. God wants you to face your enemies, while trusting him to deliver you from them.

Whatever you’re fighting today, trust God to win the battle for you.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Encourage a Graduate in Your Life

Graduation time is here, and chances are there’s a young person in your life who could use some encouragement, along with a little guidance.

Set them up for success with Pastor Rick’s The Purpose Driven Life: Selected Thoughts and Scriptures for the Graduate.

Filled with inspirational Scripture, biblical wisdom from Pastor Rick, and beautiful imagery, this unique, hardcover gift book provides a priceless reminder of the bountiful life God has planned for your graduate—and it will empower them to seek his unique plan and purpose for their life.

We’d love to send you a copy of this special resource as thanks for your gift today to help Daily Hope take the transforming power of Jesus into more lives around the world.

So request your copy below—and set a young graduate on the path to all God has for their life!

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.