I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 12. “Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, ‘Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!’ And Jephthah said to them, ‘My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands.  So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the Lord delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?’ Now Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, ‘You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites and among the Manassites'” (Verses 1-4). Ephraim did not help Jephthah go to war, but wanted a part in the glory of what God had done in Jephthah. It wan’t that Ephraim felt bad for not participating, as much as a “How dare you win without my help” attitude. Instead of repenting for their lack of  compassion they opted to war against God’s judge (bad idea). God will use whosoever is willing, Ephraim was NOT willing and Jephthah was. If you don’t want to miss out on what God is doing, then be a willing vessel.