You Were Made by God and for God - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - January 08, 2026

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“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’” Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

When it comes to planning their lives, many Christians act like atheists. They know Jesus saved them, but they don’t really trust him with their future. They think they can make plans any way they want to. But the reality is, God created every person for a unique purpose, with a specific plan and destiny in mind. 

About two thousand years ago, God had a plan for a young woman named Mary. He created and chose her to be the mother of his Son. 

What was Mary’s response when an angel told her about God’s plan? She didn’t say, “I’ve got my own plans for my life. I’m too busy. I have to do what’s best for me.” No, she realized God had a purpose for her life, and she was willing to do whatever he wanted. 

Her response was a song of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47 NIV). Mary recognized that God was her Lord and Savior, and she was eager to do his will. She trusted him with her life, even though she knew no one would believe her when she told them what the angel had said.

Do you trust that God has made you for a specific destiny? The Bible says, “Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends” (Psalm 100:3 NCV). 

Many people will miss God’s plan for their lives by about 18 inches—the distance between their head and their heart. They intellectually believe the gospel, but they don’t let it change their hearts.

The truth is that you were not made for your own sake. You were made by God, and you were made for God. 

You might know quantum physics. You might understand chaos theory. You may even know how to build a rocket ship. But if you don’t know God, you’ve missed the purpose of life. 

At the end of your life, God won’t care how well you did in your career or ask to see your bank account balance. Instead, he’ll ask you this: “Did you get to know me? Did you build a relationship with my Son, whom I sent to earth to die on the cross for you?” 

The most important thing in life is to know God—not to know about him, but to know
him personally. Are you getting to know God better—and letting him change your heart—today?

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

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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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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