Verse of the day: Judges 12:3, “So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the LORD delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?”
Why the quarrel? The quarrel was the result of pride and selfishness. It led to discord between Jephthah, Israel, and the men of Ephraim. It was an unnecessary argument. Sadly, it was focused on the whole “me, me, me” attitude. You robbed “me” of an opportunity to get praise. You robbed “me” of the opportunity to gain something. You robbed “me” of the opportunity help (even though there was no real desire to help). I am sure we could think of a few more “You robbed me of” scenarios. There is something that happens when we become self-absorbed. What happens is that we begin to focus on everything that affects us negatively, rather than focus on the good that comes out of a situation. How often have we had some plan in place to accomplish something and it was interrupted by someone or some circumstance. How do we react? What do we complain about? We get upset, we get angry, and voice our discontent with the outcome. Why? Well, because it robbed us of accomplishing what we wanted to do. Since God is in control of all things, does it ever occur to us that God may have been the One who interrupted our plans? Do we ever stop to think that maybe God wants us to accomplish something else instead? The men of Ephraim were hypocritically upset that they were not included in the fight, even though they were clearly given an opportunity. They overlooked one very important nugget of joy and praise; God’s deliverance. The fact that Jephthah and Israel defeated the Ammonites was beneficial, not just to them, but to the men of Ephraim as well. We must take care not to be so preoccupied with “self” that we miss out on the blessings of plans being changed or life taking a turn in a direction we did not anticipate. A lack of contentment with whatever God allows will cause us to become blind to God’s blessings in our lives. When we allow pride to drive us, when we have selfish motivations, and are focused on what we can gain from this world, we will become self-absorbed, disgruntled, and the kind of person who is continually complaining about how we were robbed of something by someone or by life itself. James 4:1-4 says, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” How do we avoid becoming that person? We do that by making Jesus the center of our life and looking after the needs of others, even before our own. True joy comes from Jesus, Others, Yourself. The Apostle Paul put it best in Philippians 2:1-4, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” This situation would have had a different outcome had the men of Ephraim, first and foremost, thought enough to help Jephthah and Israel in their time of need. Secondly, instead of coming to Jephthah with hypocrisy, and their vain arguments, they should have come with gratefulness for the few who were willing to fight for the freedom of the multitude. In that, they would have been able to rejoice together about the great victory God had provided them. When we rob ourselves, and others, with our prideful and selfish outlook, we also rob one very important Person of glory and praise…God Himself. Let us be a people who are always ready to come to the aid of others, and always on the lookout for God’s blessings in what may appear to be negative situations. When we do, God will open our eyes to the good that comes out of things gone awry (Romans 8:28-29), and will move us to praise God continually, giving us an opportunity to learn how to be content in all seasons and circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
No comments:
Post a Comment