“Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. 5 She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. 6 One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. 7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” 8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” 9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.””
Judges 4:4-9 NLT
God Almighty,
Judges is a riveting read if a bit blood thirsty! This chapter is the story of a prophet (Deborah) a leader of the tribe of Naphtali (Barak), an enemy King (Sisera) and a wife not of the Israelites (a Kenite). The war was won with the death of the enemy King. But not by an army but by the hand of one person. Just as You won the war against death by the hand of One – Your Son. Only He could do it.
And it also shows that everyone can be used to fulfill Your purposes. Whether in church leadership or not. Male or female. You even use those who do not profess to follow or worship You! Barak knew the benefit of having someone beside Him,, hearing God in difficult circumstances. How we respect and value those who stand by us and pray! Or we should.
And we should be ready to say I will go with You when someone we know is in need of support . Whether physically or in prayer or both.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 5th April 2025
An army of ordinary people
A kingdom where love is the key
A city, a light to the nations
Heirs to the promise are we
A people whose life is in Jesus
A nation together we stand
Only through grace are we worthy
Inheritors of the land
A new day is dawning
A new age to come
When the children of promise
Shall flow together as one
A truth long neglected
But the time has now come
When the children of promise
Shall flow together as one
A people without recognition
But with Him a destiny sealed
Called to a heavenly vision
His purpose shall be fulfilled
Come, let us stand strong together
Abandon ourselves to the King
His love shall be ours forever
This victory song we shall sing
A new day is dawning
A new age to come
When the children of promise
Shall flow together as one
A truth long neglected
But the time has now come
When the children of promise
Shall flow together as one
Lyrics: Dave Bilbrough