April 2, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- YOUR CASE IS NOT HOPELESS
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Thursday, April 2, 2020
– World Autism Awareness Day
TOPIC: YOUR CASE IS NOT HOPELESS
Read Judges 11:1-11
[1]Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.[2]And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.[3]Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.[4]And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.[5]And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:[6]And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.[7]And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?[8]And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.[9]And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?[10]And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.[11]Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.
MEMORISE: Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore (Isaiah 54:4)
EXPOSITION
Sometimes, one may find oneself in situations that seem hopeless. One can even face problems that appear insurmountable in life. Even one’s family background may pose threats to one’s destiny and its fulfilment. It may seem to you as if everything is against you alone. This is good news for you: There is no hopeless situation that God cannot turn around, and no problem He cannot tackle (Lk. 1:37).
Jephthah had a shoddy background. He was a product of harlotry and carelessness. Yet, God had planned his life before the beginning of the world. The legal sons of his father had him ejected from among them, because they considered him a bastard, yet God was monitoring his steps (Jdg. 11:1-2). Imagine what living could be for such an outcast. Humanly speaking, he would be hopeless, frustrated and disappointed. Yet, Jephthah did not allow the situation to put him down. He encouraged himself, picked up the pieces of his life, and made wonderful living out of it.
When it was time for God to turn Jephthah’s situation around, He allowed his brothers to face the difficult situation they lacked the wherewithal to deal with. They had no choice than to go plead with Jephthah, who had become a mighty man of valour, to be their commander and rescue them from their enemies and thereby entered into covenant with him (vv. 6-10). They readily accepted him as their “head”, the highest position of authority among them. May God make you the head in places you had been rejected.
God empowered Jephthah with His Spirit to win the battle (v. 29). Your case is not hopeless too. God, who made Jephthah to forget the shame of his youth, will surely do more in your life. Amen. Just believe, and don’t be slothful in areas He expects you to be diligent – spiritually, vocationally, etc. (Prov. 22:29).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, by Your mighty power, turn my hopeless situation around for good in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, give me a “say” where I have been rejected and ignored.
3. Lord, Your children who the devil has turned to objects of ridicule by their seemingly hopeless situations, give them victory, hope and reasons for celebration, in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Joshua 3 – 5 & Acts 5
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!