THURSDAY April 23, 2026

The Faith to Fight

For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah....
Hebrews 11:32

Another man of faith mentioned was Jephthah. He was not as well-known as Samson, but was also referred to as a mighty man of valor. He had a rough start on his way to becoming a hero because he was the son of a prostitute. His father had a wife, and, when his half-brothers were older, they cast him out of his home. This was agreed upon by the elders of Gilead (Judges 11:1-2).

Jephthah became a local leader. He formed a band of worthless men and went out raiding. Meantime, Ammon declared war on Israel. Changing their minds, the elders wanted Jephthah back to fight for them. They asked him to be their captain. Jephthah said in reply, “Did you not hate me and expel me from my father house?” Why have you come now when you are in distress?” In the discussion that ensued, an agreement was made for Jephthah to become their permanent leader. He would become the Judge of Israel. The Lord was a witness to the words spoken between them (Judges 11:3-11).

As head and commander, Jephthah spoke with the people of Ammon. A dispute about land was discussed. Jephthah set the record straight by giving a detailed, accurate account of Israel’s history as they journeyed to the Promised Land. Jephthah called upon the Lord, the Judge, to render His judgment between them (Judges 11:12-27).

However, the king of the people of Ammon chose not to listen to reason. So God’s Spirit came upon Jephthah, and he went out, by faith, to fight them. God went before him, and he defeated twenty cites. The Ammonites were slaughtered and completely subdued (Judges 11:28-33).

As Christians, we will face many battles in life. Know that it is the Lord who will go before you into battle. Have the faith to fight and watch the Lord give you the victory.

We can be in our day what the heroes of faith were in their day but remember at the time they didn’t know they were heroes.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!