Stop Bargaining with God | Judges 11:29-31

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Jeff Grasty from Rock Hill, SC.
Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23.

Our text today is Judges 11:29-31.

Then the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh and passed on to Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed on to the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” — Judges 11:29-31

Here is that terminology again: "the Spirit of the Lord clothed Jephthah." Meaning God himself equipped him with power for the battle. Victory was already guaranteed because God was already present.

But Jephthah didn’t rest in that assurance. He made a vow—an unnecessary bargain with God. This was the irony: the Spirit of God was enough, yet Jephthah bartered like it wasn’t. Jephthah complicated his doubt with a detrimental bargain.

We are all guilty of this. God gives us the Holy Spirit, the very presence and power that raised Jesus from the dead. Yet instead of moving forward in faith, we add conditions. We say, “God, if you show up, I’ll be faithful. If you bless me, then I’ll obey. If you fix this, then I’ll finally trust You.” When he already lives within us.

But bargaining with God is not faith—it’s fear dressed up as faith. It reveals our insecurity more than our devotion. The Spirit of God already provides everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Remember, when you add conditions, you don’t secure more of God’s favor—you forfeit the peace of trusting Him. The Spirit is enough. Always has been. Always will be. So identify where you’ve been making deals with God, and instead act in simple, Spirit-led obedience.

ASK THIS:

Where am I complicating God’s promises with my own conditions?
How am I bargaining with God instead of simply believing Him?
What step of faith could I take today to show I trust His Spirit is enough?
DO THIS:
Stop adding fine print to God’s promises. Identify one area where you’ve been making deals with God, and instead act in simple, Spirit-led obedience.

PRAY THIS:
Lord, forgive me for complicating what You’ve already completed. Help me to rest in Your Spirit, trust Your promises, and move forward in bold faith without bargaining. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
"Same Power."