Hey Girl: A 5-Day Devotional by Anne WilsonChikamu

The Lord Fights Your Battles

Hey Girl!

Have you ever had one of those bad hair days when you burn your breakfast…and your tongue, your tank is empty, and you hit every red light on the way to your next stop?

Or one of those hard seasons when you can’t muster the energy for everyday things. It could be that someone you love is struggling. Or you’re failing that class. Maybe you have been feeling rejected. Or perhaps you just lost your best friend. Sometimes, it feels like an epic battle to get out of bed and face another day. Let’s be honest, sometimes we spend Monday waiting for Friday.

But we need to ask the Lord to show us the way to rejoice in this new day He has made…no matter our circumstances.

In my home state of Kentucky, many people experienced devastating floods this summer that displaced them from their homes and neighborhoods. Some of them lost everything. Their possessions, family photographs, favorite clothes, and maybe even their beloved dog. Because of the powerful and destructive muddy waters, some of them did not have a house to come home to after nature took its course. How can we expect them to rejoice when circumstances have them at their breaking point? How can we rejoice when God gives us more than we are able to withstand?

I believe in their toughest moments and ours, God reminds us of who He is and that we may have more than we can handle, but we never have more than He can handle. When we open His Word, we have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who fought battles of the faith so that we can be encouraged that we, too, can be victorious in ours.

Go back in time with me to a tough battle the ancient Israelites had to fight around the year 600 BC when Israel was conquered by another kingdom. Her people were carried away to the enemy territory of Babylon, a land that was not their home. Some of those taken captive were Daniel and his friends— Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael, who were famously renamed with names that honored Babylonian gods. In total, about 10,000 soldiers, intellectuals, and artisans were taken away, leaving only the poorest or most unskilled to live among the dusty ruins.

We can only imagine the internal battles and heartaches they faced as they found themselves suddenly homeless and feeling abandoned by God. How terrible to see your city destroyed and your home vacant. How desperate those first moments must have felt as they looked back and wondered if things would ever be the same. Will I live to see another day? What will become of my family? Where is God in all this? It is almost unimaginable the despair they must have felt to know they lost a battle that cost them their sense of security and identity…and possibly their faith in the God who loved them.

One thing is certain: God never changed His mind about his love and care for them, and He will never change His mind about you. Just as He had a plan to sustain them over the next difficult season, He has a plan for you and will work all things out for your good, according to His purpose. You can be sure that if you find yourself in a battle…whether it be waged against your body or mind, God has already fought the battle, and He has already won.

Don’t ever forget that you are a blood-bought and battle-fought child of the King!

Scriptures to Meditate On:

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. - Psalm 46:1-2

Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. - Ephesians 6:11

Reflective Questions:

• What is one of the toughest battles you are facing or have faced? Where do you see God in that battle?
• Read Ephesians 6:10-18 about the Armor of God. Why do you think He gives you these particular tools for battle?
• Do you think you need to find your armor, OR is it possible that God Himself is Your armor?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for always being in my corner and giving me everything I need to succeed in the battles that come my way. It is easy to become overwhelmed when I take my eyes off You, but please help me be laser-focused on Who You are so that my faith overcomes my fear. Thank you that you win every battle and that the weapon may be formed against me, but it will not prosper. You are so good to find me worthy of the fight. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!