Surrender Your Defense to God

[Surrender Your Defense to God](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Current Teaching Series [Living in the Goodness of God](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Listen to Today's Broadcast](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Surrender Your Defense to God](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) By Rick Warren — March 22, 2019 [Facebook](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Twitter](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Pinterest](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Email](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Devotional image from Rick Warren](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV). King David knew what it meant to be attacked emotionally, verbally, and physically. As a young man, he was anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel, but Saul was still king. Even though David served him loyally, Saul was jealous of the future king, and he decided to kill him. David had to hide from Saul in caves while lies were being told about him across the kingdom. Yet, David never said a bad word against King Saul. He never retaliated, because God was preparing David to be a king who followed God’s heart. David said, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5 NIV). Does it sound like David was stressed out? No! He didn’t have to use up all his energy defending himself because he trusted God to be his defender. It takes a lot of faith and humility to rest and trust God when you’re under attack, when you’re misunderstood, and when rumors are spreading about you. When that happens, everything in you wants to rise up and do something about it. How do you handle people who attack you? You don’t. You let God handle them. Trust God to be your defender. Not only does God want to defend you, but he also wants to fellowship with you: “You’ll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration” (Psalm 5:11 The Message). This is a banquet, or a party, at an unlikely time—not just when good times are happening but when you’re under attack. God says, “I know you’re in the heat of the battle right now. You’re fighting for your job. You’re fighting for your health. You’re fighting for your sanity. You’re fighting for your dignity. While the battle is going on, I want to throw a banquet for you to offer just a little encouragement.” It’s a party in a combat zone. It’s a banquet on a battlefield. If you’re a child of God, your heavenly Father is proud of you. Critics may spite you, slander you, ignore you, ridicule you, or libel you, but they can’t stop God’s blessing on your life. “He brought me to his banquet hall and raised the banner of love over me” (Song of Solomon 2:4 TEV).[PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Talk About It - What battle are you in right now? What opposition is staring you down? - What will you have to let go of when you surrender your defense to God? - How does resting in the midst of a battle help you fight better? [Facebook](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Twitter](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Pinterest](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Email](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r [Our Gift: Living in the Goodness of God Complete Audio Series](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) How can you learn to have God’s favor on your life? You trust in him and in his Word, which confirms it over and over. “The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.” – Psalm 100:5 (TLB). That’s why we created the Living in the Goodness of God complete audio series. In this 12-message series based on the 23rd Psalm, you’ll hear Pastor Rick share how God’s goodness and favor toward us aren’t based on our performance, but instead on what Jesus already did for us. You’ll hear messages including . . .1. Is God Really Good All the Time? 2. Letting God Meet My Needs 3. Relaxing in God's Goodness 4. How God's Goodness Can Restore You 5. How to Be Led By God's Spirit 6. The God of My Valleys 7. How Jesus Treats His Sheep 8. How God Lifts Me Up When I'm Worn Down 9. Living an Anointed Life 10. From Overwhelmed to Overflowing (Mother's Day) 11. Why You Don't Need to Fear Your Future 12. Heaven: God’s Eternal Goodness to You [LEARN MORE](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Includes 12 full-length teaching CDs from Pastor Rick's series Living in the Goodness of God. [LEARN MORE](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r [Series Summary](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Message 1: Is God Really Good All the Time? Message 2: Letting God Meet My Needs Message 3: Relaxing in God’s Goodness Message 4: How God’s Goodness Can Restore You Message 5: How to Be Led by God’s Spirit Message 6: The God of My Valleys Message 7: How Jesus Treats His Sheep Message 8: How God Lifts Me Up When I’m Worn Down Message 9: Living an Anointed Life Message 10: From Overwhelmed to Overflowing Message 11: Why You Don’t Need to Fear Your Future Message 12: Heaven: God’s Eternal Goodness to You [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r)[Twitter](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Instagram](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) [Linkedin](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Enjoy today's Devotional? [Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio.](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r) This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at [pastorrick.com](J3Z2CKYwN:m:1:2618166767:FC75BCF3EDD77BFF60ED7979789E0863:r). Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. This message was intended for: {EMAIL} You were added to the system December 23, 2016. [Unsubscribe](