As of this writing, there is a flurry of activity all around us! Fall is around the corner, and we are all gearing up for what such a time brings to all of us! Back to school, fall activities with youth groups, return of children’s education, prepping for winter, and a whole host of other things the change of seasons bring. As we gear up, please remember to stay tuned in for schedules, we have a lot to look forward to in our groups.In worship, we have been learning some details about the women in our Bible. Most recently we talked about how messy life is and how God works everything together for good (for those who love the Lord.) Tamar and Ruth give great examples of this. For this writing, I would like to share with you a bit about Deborah.
Deborah was a judge during a time of great difficulty in the lives of the Jewish people. Some would say that she was chosen because, as a woman, she could share tenderness and comfort with a group of people who were downcast and defeated. She emerged as a great leader and warrior, helping Barak defeat a great army which had a pile of war toys and ammunition, more than enough to beat up on a lesser army without the means to carry out a strong attack. But God had another plan.
Deborah wanted the people to experience victory and be reminded that God was on their side and how many times God worked to give them their freedom. Deborah knew how difficult that could be given the conditions of the world around them…but she knew that God would prevail as they believed. The Book of Judges, Chapters 4 and 5 tell this special story of how God used Deborah to accomplish a great feat.
When you read her story, you can’t help but hear the arguing in all the ways the people came to her as a judge. Deborah spoke with confidence and faced what was happening in the lives of the people and those around her. She did not hesitate to step out in truth and faith, trusting that God would always lead her to the right road. She did it in love.
Deborah was close to God, her faith largely in line with God’s plans and she had courage to follow those plans. In a time of struggle, God brought the people a woman of action and it lead to 40 years of peace (Judges 5:31) for the people of Israel.
Life is hard, isn’t it? Making decisions and moving forward isn’t the easiest thing to do without a firm plan in place, “what might happen, if”…God reminds us continually that He is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Trust, surrender, believe!
Thank you, Jesus! In his name…AMEN!
