04202024 Take What Your God Gives You

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of Power. All might belongs to Him, and nothing can stop Him from accomplishing His plan. Such a powerful God is able to do all that He desires to do on behalf of His children.

In Judges 11, I found a little bit of irony regarding false gods. The nation of Ammon was getting feisty with the nation of Israel. As the warring began, Israel looked for a leader, and they turned to Jephthah, who previously had been an outcast.

Jephthah took his new role seriously and sent messengers to the king of Ammon. In essence, he asked, “What reason do you have to fight against us? What have we done to you?” (v. 12).

The king of Ammon sent a message back. “Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, … now therefore restore those lands again peaceably” (v. 13).

Jephthah responded with a history lesson. He said, “Listen, when we approached this land, we asked several nations for permission to pass through their territory, and no one would allow us to do so. Ammon was one of those non-obliging nations. In fact, Ammon took the refusal so far that they actually made war against us. And they lost. Do you know what happens when you lose a war? The land goes to the winner.” (paraphrase of vs. 15-22).

Jephthah’s response was that Israel hadn’t taken Ammon’s land. Ammon had lost it from their own poor choice. Jephthah gives the credit for Israel’s victory to God (vs. 21, 23). Totally logical, right? That seems to be an appropriate thing for any god to do for the people who serve it – to give them a land to live in.

The nation of Ammon had a god, too. Their god was Chemosh. So Jephthah sets forth his conclusion in the form of a challenging question. “Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess?” (v. 24).

“Hey, we accepted the land our God gave us. Why don’t you do the same? Whatever your god gives you, feel free to take.” Where does that leave Ammon? Empty. Because their god has no power. He can’t give them anything.

What a contrast with Jehovah! He is the real God with real power. He actually does have control and ability. He really can provide for His people. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

With our God, there is no neglect or destitution. There are no empty promises or assurances. When we feel free to take whatever God gives us, we truly receive something. He showers us with both physical and spiritual blessings. Unlike the people of Ammon, we can rely on our God to give us all that we need.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA