Want Spirit-filled commentary delivered right to your inbox every morning? Sign up here: http://bit.ly/1K5n2g0
Thursday, April 30th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Judges 11:1-12:15
John 1:1-28
Psalm 101:1-8
Proverbs 14:13-14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1o19jdQ
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, “What do you have against me, that you have come to fight against me in my land?” – Judges 11:12
Even though Jephthah knew that war was imminent, he communicated before he fought. He opened his mouth before he picked up his weapon. He approached his enemy and asked how he had wronged him. He went to great lengths, and calmly pursued logic, to make sure his cause was just. He pursued God’s will, and asked God to show him the right course of action.
How often do we take up arms before even finding out why our enemy approaches? How often to we fail to follow the Biblical model for conflict resolution, to approach our brother before we complain to everyone else (Matt 18:15)? How often do we assume that everyone else is wrong, and we are right?
When you feel like jumping into battle, take a deep breath. We don’t have to fight if God is willing to fight for us. And if He is not willing to fight for us, we should not fight at all.
Prayer:
Father, my flesh always tries to get the best of me. Help me to control my emotions, in Jesus’ name! I know You are fighting for me, so I have no reason to jump into battle unless You lead!