45 -Unlikely Hero
Hebrews 11:32
Judges 11
While people may not think much of you, God loves you. God doesn’t have the restrictions on you that people do. He’ll give you a job to serve His purpose.
People start out in different places. Woodrow Wilson couldn’t read until he was 10. Babe Ruth also held the record for strike outs.
A person is known for five things in his lifetime.
Character – that’s who he is
Conduct – that’s what he does
Conversation – that’s what he says
Creed – that’s what he believes; believe in something greater than yourself
Contribution – that’s what he gives to make the world better
He was not considered for leadership. Jephthah was an outside child. His mother was an “escort”. They were whole brothers by law but half-brothers by emotion. He left because he felt inferior. He left with a crew. He always tried harder because he fought with a chip on his shoulder. He didn’t get any acceptance from his brothers.
His brothers were not able to convince the people. They couldn’t lead. They decided to go get Jephthah because they couldn’t hold back the invading armies.
God’s gonna use what you’re going through right now.
Jephthah didn’t grow up in a perfect family but with a perfect God.
Brothers came to him and asked him to come lead the clan.
He agreed on a few conditions. He said the first person out of his house after the victory, he would sacrifice. HIS DAUGHTER WAS THE FIRST TO COME OUT. He oversold his position.
Jephthah
A. He learned to forgive. He can’t bring healing or wholeness to you otherwise.
B. He learned to have faith (prayer). God promotes. Not man.
C. He learned to focus. Concentrate on the things that are right. Hebrews 11:12-28
God took Jephthah from zero to hero.
Tamala R. Maddox, Ph. D.
Principal
R. F. Bumpus Middle School