“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you” (Deuteronomy 20:1, NIV).
Today, you and I are thankful to face a few “physical” battles here on this earth. Most of my days don’t include fighting other people or using swords and spears. But that doesn’t mean we don’t still face struggles of a different kind.
For you, maybe that battle is anxiety that just won’t quit. It’s the kind that keeps you up at night, no matter how many sheep you count. For others, maybe it’s a relationship that’s been breaking down. You’ve been trying to save it, but it’s not working. For myself, it’s often a calling that feels too big. It’s something I feel compelled to do, but sometimes, the weight of it all feels bigger than I can hold. And honestly, no matter what your “battle” looks like, sometimes life feels like standing in front of an army you didn’t sign up to fight.
In Deuteronomy 20, the scriptures address these feelings directly. Israel is preparing for battle and facing enemies that are clearly larger, stronger, and more equipped than they are. Verse 1 even tells us that the chariots and army are greater than theirs. But the verse doesn’t stop with fear. It continues with, “do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.” God addresses their fears even before the battle begins.
Sadly, the reality is that you and I will face battles bigger than us. God never promises a life without overwhelming situations. John 16:33 says it this way: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These troubles include mental health struggles, physical illness, big decisions, painful seasons, you name it. The presence of fear doesn’t mean you’re failing or that God isn’t near. Rather, those are the exact places His presence is known to be found. But the size of our battle doesn’t disqualify us; it reveals our need for God.
The good and bad news of this revelation is that we will face battles. But the battle isn’t about our strength, and it never has been. Even amidst the strength and power of enemies, God told Israel (and tells us), “Do not be afraid… do not panic.” He doesn’t minimize their worries or tell them to ignore them; rather, He redirects their vision to their God. God never tells Israel to be strong enough; He tells them to trust in His strength alone.
Culture will continue to tell us to be stronger, do more, and try harder. But God says, "Remember who is with you." So who are you relying on today? Yourself and your strength, or His?
Friends, God is the one who goes with us and fights our battles. No matter how hard we try to fight, He’s the one active in battle on our behalf. This doesn’t mean instant victory or easy outcomes, but that we’re not alone and the outcome isn’t solely on us. Remember, obedience is our responsibility, but the outcome is His.
This side of Heaven, we will continue to face battles. God equipped us well in Ephesians 6. But victory is rooted in God’s power, not in our performance.
Are you facing a battle that feels too big for you today? Instead of asking, “Can I handle this?” try shifting your perspective to “Lord, help me to trust you to fight for me in this.” Then, practice naming the fear, surrendering control, and praying specifically for God’s strength.
I don’t know the battles you or I will face today, this week, this month, or this year, but I know that God is with us even there. We might feel outnumbered, but we’re not abandoned. And the battle in front of us might be big, but the God beside you, with and within you, is bigger. The battle is bigger than you, but perhaps it was always meant to be so that we would look to one who is bigger than it.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, when I face battles that seem bigger than me, please help me know that you are bigger. Equip me with your strength and Spirit and remind me that I’m not alone in whatever I’m facing. I love you, Lord. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kevron2001
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If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
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