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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Deborah and Barak sang, “Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water” (Jdg 5:4). I praise you today as the God of the storm! It is you, not Baal, who rides the clouds to the aid of your people. It is you, not Baal, who reigns supreme and defeats the false gods of the wicked. “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord!” (Jdg 5:31). Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the oppression of the Canaanites and the judgeship of Deborah. Deborah, who was a prophetess, was judging Israel during the time of Jabin’s tyranny. While women did on rare occasions rise to prominence in Israel, Deborah was unique in that she was the first and only woman to exercise civil authority at your direction (Jdg 2:18). This shows me that you sometimes use women to highlight the refusal of men to shoulder the responsibility of leadership. Indeed, the commander of Israel’s forces, Barak, is pictured as a man whose faith was weak. You told him to go and assured him of victory, but he wouldn’t budge unless Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed to go, but she told Barak that the honor of victory would not be his—it would go to a woman. And that’s exactly what happened. Sisera fled to the home of an ally, Heber, only to have Heber’s wife, Jael, put a tent peg through his skull. This teaches me that I should never put conditions on my obedience. If I do, you may give the honor to someone else, and I won’t achieve all that I could have for your glory. There can be no “if” in a response of obedient faith. Reflection When you told Barak to attack Sisera’s superior forces, you assured him, “I will give him into your hand” (Jdg 4:7). This means that when you tell me to do something, I have the assurance that you will go before me and help me accomplish the task you have given me. Request Father, help me not to fear the iron chariots of the enemy. Grant me a faith that, like Deborah, rejoices to face the foe, confident in your ability to give the victory (Jdg 4:14). Thanksgiving You are the true hero of today’s story, yet you delight in including men and women in your mighty deeds. Thank you for the honor of being a part of what you are doing in the world! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” by Frances R. Havergal. Meditation Verse: Judges 4:14.