For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
(Luke 9:26 NKJV)
Has God asked you to do something difficult? Something bold? Something unpopular? Then you can imagine the tinge of intimidation I felt when God said, “Warn them!” What? Not me! I don’t preach or write those kinds of messages. I am the encourager. I never do anything without a confirmation from God, especially something so outside my norm. Within days, God confirmed His message to me. Now I had to overcome my angsts about the entire situation.
How could I disobey God, even though I wouldn’t win any popularity points? I constantly promise God I will follow Him. I am a willing vessel, but now that willingness would be tested. In the spirit of Deborah, I followed my Lord.
Deborah was a prophetess, judge, and warrior in Israel during a time when Israel had forsaken God, much like our nation today. God placed Israel in the hands of the Canaanite army, commanded by Sisera. they oppressed Israel for twenty years before Israel cried out to God.
Deborah told Barak that God had commanded him to gather an army so God could deliver Sisera into the hands of Barak. Sadly, Barak refused to go unless Deborah accompanied him. She agreed, but she warned Barak that God would deliver the enemy into the hands of a woman.
Sisera’s entire army fell by the sword of Barak’s army, but Sisera escaped.
Meet Jael. She met Sisera and encouraged him to rest in her tent. She gave him some milk before he laid down to rest. As he slept, Jael drove a tent peg through his head, killing him.
We never know when God will ask us to wield the Sword of the Spirit, His holy Word. God expects His children to possess the courage of women like Jael and Deborah. Sometimes, He sends us out into the battle as He sent Deborah. Will we go? Will we trust in God and exchange our fears for His divine courage? We don’t know when He will expect us to take a stand. It may be at your workplace. It could be among your peers. Will we choose God over popularity? God could call upon us while we stand in line at the grocery store. Imagine that conversation at six feet apart!
Maybe, God has asked something hard of you. I wish I could reassure you that people will applaud your boldness, but I can’t. We need the discernment and wisdom of Deborah. We also need her courage and not the cowardice of Barak that exist in so many churches today. Can you be a modern-day Deborah?
Heavenly Father, give me the courage of Deborah. I may lose some friends, but I will accept rejection and hatred as a badge of bravery. Prepare me for Your calling. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
Think of an individual in your family, friends, or even at church who believes in a watered-down version of the Gospel. If God led you to rebuke them, could you do it? Why or why not? If not, pray for God to give you the courage of Deborah and Jael.
RELATED RESOURCE
Available April 2, 2021: Walking by Faith, Not Sight: 30 Inspirational Moments with Iva (Guide Dog Tales Book 2). Order now!
Originally posted on March 19, 2021 @ 3:07 am
My introverted self trembled at the thought of this as introverts run from confrontation LOL. I have to say I am guilty of keeping my mouth closed at work when i would hear incorrect Christian beliefs spoken by my non-Christian coworkers. I kept quiet for two reasons. The first is because as an introvert I avoid conflict at all costs if I can and because I never knew when it was cast out bait at the end of a fishing line that once I grabbed the bait they would run to admin and tattle on how I was bringing religious beliefs into work and speaking about them. In my company that was a HUGE no-no. It was even in the handbook. That is because in the I/DD field I worked in the only thing acceptable to speak on was clients legal human rights which we all know are not filled with Biblical morals and ethics. NOW that I do not work and my guard does not have to be up I am learning to be more bold. I hope to someday be as bold as these women in the Bible.
I was in a similar situation but only for 3 weeks at Guiding Eyes. Many times, correcting others never changes their minds, so why risk it?