Mighty Men & Women of Valour 03.26.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday March 26, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 10 -- 11 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read about once again Israel forsakes the Lord and worships idols; Israel is oppressed by Ammonites for 18 years; Jephthah's daughter and here dedication to God. Today's message focuses on the importance of knowing that God knows your heart no matter where you are and will build you into mighty men and women of valour.

Once again Israel forsaked God and fell into worshipping false gods, "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead." (Judges 10:6-8).

After much suffering they pleaded to God to deliver them from the Ammonites. God reminded them of how much he did for them and yet they still followed false gods and challenged them to see if their false gods can deliver them from their troubles."And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation." (10:10-14).

Israel realized their mistake, asked for forgiveness, and put away theie false gods. "And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." (10:15-16).

Jephthah, because of the illegitimacy of his birth, was disinherited by his father's house and forced to leave the land of promise. "Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman." (11:1-2). He went to his mother's country in the land of Tob, it was a land of idols, yet Jephthah had lived long enough in the promised land to acquire a deep and lasting faith in Israel's God. In exile, Jephthah remained faithful to God while surrounded by idolators for about eighteen years.

Because he had been excommunicated from Israel, Jephthah could have said: "Why should I try to do anything for the glory of God?" But this man of faith had gained a reputation for the love of God as well as a warrior in battle that all Israel turned to in the day of their distress. He was the only man who was qualified to respond to the Ammonites' threat to attack the Israelites. "Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh." (11:11). Jephthah held no bitter feelings for having been rejected and illustrates that only God knows our hearts and His estimation of men is often different than our own. While we are surrounded by false phophets and worldly temptations God knows our hearts and will use us no matter where we are to reach the lost.

Israel's attitude toward Jephthah may have been contemptible, but the day came when Israel discovered how much they needed him. But in Jephthah's situation, as with Joseph, Moses, and David, the long delay previous to his great public work was needed in order to develop a character and the skills suitable for the greatness of His work. Difficulties prepare us for what God knows we will face in future ministry. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:27-31).

The situations in which we live should not dictate our relationship with Jesus. Jesus prayed for us, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:15-21).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through Jephthah's only child as she wholly submitted to her father's will. (Judges 11:34-40). Jesus wholly submitted to His Father's will. The night He was betrayed Jesus prayed to God, Your will, not mine. "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:38-39).

Today's Psalm: 37:28-29
"For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are blessed to be Your children, help us to regularly examine our hearts to see if there are things, pursuits, or attitudes that are drawing us away from Your heart and thrusting us once again into the mindset of the world. Our heart’s examinations are not intended to condemn us, but to refresh our spirit and remind us of our godly heritage. Lord, You know our hearts more than we do ourselves, reveal to us that which helps and that which hinders our Christian walk and as we walk in obedience to You we’re grateful for the peace and rest we receive in knowing that You do not condemn us, but deliver mercy to help us in our time of need. You do not stand over us in judgment, but You walk alongside us assuring us of Your unwavering love and unending mercy that will see us through on this side of the journey. In Jesus' name, we pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and God bless you.
Christina

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