Let me start by saying that I am not one that thinks that all promises granted to Israel apply to us directly.  Having said that, we can often learn and apply principles from the Bible to our lives, so please bear with me as we discuss a Judge of Israel.

The people rejected Jepthah, but called on him when the required a leader to fight against Ammon.  The Ammonites were under the false impression that the land Israel took from them should be returned to them.  Jepthah’s response was fantastic.  “Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the sons of Ammon… The LORD, the God of Israel gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they defeated them… Since now the LORD, the God of Israel, drove out the Ammorites… are you then to possess it?” (emphasis added).

How does this apply to us?  Despite the fact that the current governing authorities want to take back the freedoms granted to us, and don’t even think we belong here, we believe that God delivered this nation from oppression, and who are we to surrender those God-given freedoms to those who claim their ownership?  May the Spirit of the LORD fall upon us, and may we glorify and praise Him and Him alone for our current freedoms, and for victories great and small.

Lest any of you think I didn’t read the end of the story, Jepthah made a fatal mistake when he thought that his sacrifice could encourage God’s help further.  He therefore made a foolish vow, and it cost him the life of his only child.  Let us instead follow the words of Psalm 50:

13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
Or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Thank you, God, for granting us great freedoms.  Please lead us in making wise use of them, and defending them however you may direct our paths.

Both of these reading (though not the application above) are from the April 23rd reading of Stanley’s LIFE PRINCIPLES DAILY BIBLE.