Topic: When You Go to Battle, Trust God to Fight for You [RICK WARREN Devotional 14 March 2020]
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“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.
- What battle are you trying to fight on your own? What do you think will happen if you stop fighting and trust God to do the work?
- Why can you trust God to fight for you? What has he already accomplished for you?
- What does quiet confidence look like? What can you remember when you feel afraid or discouraged?