“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
No matter what you’re going to face today, this week, or next year, you won’t face it alone. God is with you, he’s working in you, and he is for you.
Philippians 2:13 says, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT).
God is working in you. The word “working” in Greek is the word energos, from which we get our word “energy.” God is the energy driver in your life. You’re not just going on willpower. You’re not just going on your own power. God says he will give you the power you need, no matter what you’re facing.
Not only is he working in you, but he is also with you. The Bible says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. . . . On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:18, 20 NIV).
That’s quite a promise! The Bible says that Christ is in you, that you’re sheltered with him, and that you’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. That means that, for the devil to get to you, he’s got to get through the Trinity. That’s pretty good protection and a great relief from fear.
Not only is God with you and in you, but God is also for you. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (ESV).
When a shepherd leads the sheep, guard dogs are always at the back, keeping watch and making sure the sheep move in the right direction. The Bible says that the guard dogs in your life are God’s goodness and mercy.
God’s goodness and mercy are always at work in your life. God gives you the things you don’t deserve—that’s his goodness. And he doesn’t give you the punishment you deserve for your sins—that’s his mercy.
His goodness includes the blessings you experience now but also the gift of your salvation: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
God is watching over your life! You ought to get up every morning and say with confidence, “God, thank you that you’re going to be with me today, you’re going to be working in me today, and you’re going to be for me today.”
That’s good news! It helps you let go of fear about what you’re facing and replace it with happiness.
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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