Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Women Of The Lord

Focus verses: Judges 4:4-10

We are introduced here to the judge of Israel, Deborah. She heard from the Lord and spoke to Barak, telling him of God's plans to deliver Sisera and Jabin's army into their hands.

But Barak was reluctant. He insisted that Deborah go with him, or he would not go. That wasn't what God had in mind at all. So Deborah told him that another woman would steal his thunder because God would deliver Sisera into this other woman's hands. And she, not Barak, would get the glory for destroying Sisera.

And that's exactly what happened. Sisera sought refuge in the tent of Jael, and when she had encouraged him to rest, she killed him. So Jael is credited with destroying Sisera. And Barak lost out.

When God gives instructions, He intends that they should be carried out to the letter. That's not to say that He will not let us put conditions upon His instructions, but there is a consequence for not believing God. In this case, Jael, not Barak, gets the glory of the victory.

We need to be aware that when we do things our own way, not God's way, that the outcome will not be what God originally purposed for us. God wants us to succeed in the things He would have us do. But we must learn to do things His way and in His time.

That is the only way we can achieve victory.

Father, God,

Keep us true to Your instructions. Help us to believe all You tell us and to act upon it exactly as You would have us do. Deliver us from doubt, fear, and the arrogance that things we know better than You how to accomplish Your will in our world.
In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

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