April 1 - Judges 4:9

the road on which you are going

will not lead to your glory,

for the Lord will sell Sisera

into the hand of a woman.

Judges 4:9

 

Deborah was a prophetess. She was also Israel's only female judge -- another glimpse of how God used women in ministry.

 

During her time of leadership, Israel "1 did what was evil in the sight of the Lord." The consequence was that Israel was oppressed by the Canaanite king, Jabin of Hazor, and his nine-hundred chariots.

 

When the Lord commanded (4:6) that it was time to battle Jabin, Deborah delegated authority. If we say it incorrectly, we could contend that she sent a man out to fight for her. That was not the case. Her gift and role was discerning the will of God -- she was (4:4) a prophetess. And discerning the will of God, she knew that after Jabin "3 had oppressed the Israelites cruelly for twenty years," now was the moment that God -- not man -- would fight for Israel.

 

Nevertheless, humans occasionally like to take credit for their triumphs, and generals like to take credit for their victories. Therefore, Deborah made it clear to General Barak that it wouldn't be his hand that delivered Israel. The victory, in a human sense, would be won by a housewife -- Jael, wife of Heber.

 

But let's never misunderstand: The real victory -- like most of the true victories in our own lives -- comes from the Lord. And true faith comes from acknowledging God's influence instead of taking credit for our own successes.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants a credit card

in His name