by John Michalak
“You shall not fear them; for the LORD your God himself fights for you.”
“I can fight my own battles!”
Usually, we say this when someone seeks to help us when it’s not wanted. We want to stand on our own. We want control of our lives.
Sometimes this is okay. Independence and ambition are important to tackle many daily challenges, whether it’s showing up to work on time, keeping the house clean, bettering a skill, or doing taxes. Certainly, we should take responsibility for our actions. We shouldn’t expect others to be responsible for what we say and do.
But, what about the bigger battles? A struggle with alcoholism. A troubled marriage. Wanting to heal from past hurts or abuses. Graduating from college. Raising a child. Winning these kinds of battles so often feels impossible. And when we try to fight them on our own, we usually lose.
God wants to fight for you.
He has always been with you during these challenges, even when you didn’t know it, or when you said you could do it on your own.
Humble yourself to depend on Him to defeat the enemy — whether it’s a person, an obstacle, or your own lack of faith. God will save you if you let Him. In this sense, whether the battle is won or lost is decided before you ever begin.
Call on God. Let Him fight for you today.
Today, if I let God fight for me, how might it improve my security and comfort? How much stress can I let go of?
Dear God, Please go before me, preparing my path and fighting my battles. All I want to do is rest in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.