God’s on Your Side—the Winning Side

by Rick Warren — July 16, 2024
From How God Meets Your Deepest Needs

“We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.”

2 Chronicles 20:12 (GNT)

When you feel overwhelmed, it’s important to go to God in prayer and confess your inability and inadequacy. If you’re afraid, you need to be honest and tell God exactly how you feel.

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat prays, “We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help” (GNT). Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like there was a problem in your marriage, your career, or somewhere in your life that you thought was overwhelming? You start at the beginning of the week thinking maybe you can handle it, but by Wednesday you’re out of power.

Have you ever felt like that? You pick up the newspaper, and it looks like the bad guys are winning. The moral and spiritual climate of our society is collapsing. It looks like the bad guys are winning in many ways.

So what do you do? You say, “God, we’re powerless, and we don’t know what to do.” You tell God exactly how you feel.

It’s interesting when you compare verse 12, where it says, “We are helpless” to verse 6, where Jehoshaphat says, “You are powerful and mighty, and no one can oppose you” (2 Chronicles 20:6 GNT). When God has power, it doesn’t matter if you’re powerless. If you put your trust in him, he’ll take care of you.

I don’t have to have power. You don’t either. And you don’t have to pretend that you do. All you have to do is trust in God, who’s got all the power that you need.

Talk It Over

  • When you were growing up, how were you taught to handle weakness?
  • Why do you think it is so difficult to express our inadequacy to anyone, including God?
  • When have you seen God work in a situation where you were powerless?

Where will you spend eternity?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that allows you back into a right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “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).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I believe you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.