Day 112

Judges 11–12 | Acts 10:1–33 | Psalm 48

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They didn’t want him.

Jephthah was rejected by his brothers—driven away because his mother was a prostitute. An outcast. A reminder of shame. So he ran.

But when things got hard, they came looking for him.

“Come and be our commander,” they said (Judges 11:6).

Suddenly, the one they discarded became the one they needed.

And Jephthah agreed. He led Israel to victory. He stepped into the role God gave him.

But he couldn’t shake the rejection.

So he made a vow. A desperate one.

“Whatever comes out the door to meet me… I will sacrifice it.” (v.31)

It wasn’t required.

God never asked for it.

But Jephthah wanted to prove something.

He wanted to secure the win.

To show he was worthy.

To guarantee the blessing.

And it cost him everything.

When You’re Chosen, But Still Insecure

I see myself in Jephthah more than I’d like to admit.

Not in the vow. But in the mindset.

I know I’m called.

I know I’ve been chosen by grace.

But I still want to prove I belong.

I want to make sure I measure up.

I want the approval without the ache.

I want the blessing to feel earned—even though I know it isn’t.

And sometimes, even in obedience, I find myself grasping for control.

Trying to guarantee the outcome.

Trying to make God’s promise more predictable—by offering something He never asked for.

A Different Posture

Then I get to Acts 10.

Cornelius, a Gentile.

Peter, a Jew.

Two men on different ends of the religious spectrum—brought together by a God who makes no distinction.

“God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:28)

Peter didn’t need to strive.

He just needed to obey.

Cornelius didn’t need to perform.

He just needed to listen.

Neither of them made a vow.

They just said yes.

And God what God does—He moved.

Trying to Make Sure vs. Trusting That He Will

Jephthah’s tragedy was this: he believed in God’s power, but doubted God’s goodness.

So he tried to secure the win by sacrifice.

But Cornelius? He simply prayed.

Peter? He simply went.

And that was enough.

Because when God calls, He also equips.

When God chooses, He also sustains.

What About Me?

I’ve said yes to things I still feel unqualified for.

I’ve obeyed when I was afraid, hoping it would be enough.

And I’ve wrestled with the quiet desire to prove my worth.

But this passage reminds me: I don’t need to seal what God has already spoken.

I don’t need to sacrifice what He’s never required.

I don’t need to offer up joy, or peace, or rest on the altar of religious anxiety.

He’s already made the sacrifice.

He’s already given the victory.

And my role?

To trust.

To go.

To say yes—without the striving.

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Lord, I don’t want to prove something You’ve already declared. I don’t want to strive for what grace has already secured. Help me recognize the places I’m still trying to earn what You’ve already given. Teach me to walk in obedience without fear—and to let go of the need to control what only You can complete. I want to follow like Cornelius and Peter—not perform like Jephthah. You’re the one who calls. And You are enough.

Amen.