Scripture

“Very well,” she replied. “I will go with you. but you will receive no honour in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.”

Observation

After Ehud dies, the Israelites again sin, and the Lord hands them over the Canaanites. The commander of the Canaanite army is Sisera, who has 900 iron chariots.

After 20 years of oppression, the Israelites cry out to the Lord. A prophetess named Deborah calls for Barack. She tells him that the Lord wants him to call out 10000 warriors. The Lord will give him victory over Sisera.

Barack says he will do this on the condition that Deborah goes with him. She says she will go, but he will receive no honour from this victory as the Lord will kill Sisera at the hands of a woman.

Application

Barack hears the command of the Lord, but he lacks the faith to know that the Lord can give him victory in battle. Instead, he places his trust in Deborah, the Lord’s prophet.

How many Christians refuse to believe that God can speak to them or use them? They place their hope in a prophet, a pastor, or some other man or woman of God.

We all have the Holy Spirit in us. Every believer should be hearing the direction of God, the encouragement of God, the affirmation of God, without having to hear it through another person. This is not to deny the power of anointed ministry, but to say that our faith must be in God and not in His servants.

So Barrack is warned that because he doesn’t trust the Lord for victory, then the fame and honour of the battle will go to another.

When we trust in God alone, we discover that He can use us in ways we never thought possible.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to trust you in the battles I face today. Teach me how to hear your voice more clearly. Amen.