Don’t count out the under dog

Greetings!  Judges 11:1-11 (NIV version) reads “Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior.  His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute.  Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away.  “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.”  So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him.  Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.  “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”  Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house?  Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?”  The elders of Gilead said to him, “Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be head over all of us who live in Gilead.”  Jephthah answered,  “Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me – will I really be your head?”  The elders of Gilead replied,  “The LORD is our witness; we will certainly do as you say.”  So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them.  And he repeated all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.”

Now this is a story of a true underdog!  Jephthah through no fault of his own and due to unfortunate circumstances was cast out by his own family.   Then Jephthah connected with other outcasts (scoundrels as they are called in the Bible) and became their leader.  Perhaps he could relate to them of what it felt like to be rejected and a castaway.  This period perhaps also helped him develop his unique fighting skills and leadership so when he was needed he could be of value.  Perhaps like Jephthah we know of people (or perhaps many of us ourselves) who are considered the underdogs.   We should never count them or even ourselves out!

With the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit there is always hope that we all can rise above our circumstances no matter how bad or daunting they may be.  This story should be a reminder to not count out anyone or prejudge someone regardless of how there current (or event present) circumstances may be.  God/Jesus can use anyone and He can certainly use you and me so let’s not even count ourselves out!  Whether we were born in either good or bad circumstances we can always do better!   So let’s together continue to rise and to do better and give a word of encouragement to someone struggling and offer to help in the best way we are able to.  We can and will do this!!  Peace ✌️ ☮️ 🕊 and love ❤️!!