Today’s Reading: Judges 4:11–5:31, Psalm 21

“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 4:9

This was Deborah’s response to Barak when he put conditions on his obedience. At first it seems as if Deborah was talking about herself, but as we read on we see that the battle was finished by a woman named Jael. Although Jael was not in leadership and there was no expectation for her to do anything but stay in the tent, God had plans to do great things through Jael. He saw worth and value in someone whom the current culture did not value.

GOD STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED THIS WOMAN TO DO GREAT THINGS.

When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, he called for all 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. – Judges 4:12-14

When Barak led the warriors into battle, God caused Sisera and his warriors to fall into a panic. Barak and his men chased after the fleeing army and killed all 900 warriors, but Sisera had hopped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. He ran to Heber’s tent, which had been pitched a distance from the rest of the tribe. Knowing Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin, Sisera thought he had found a safe place to hide.

Heber’s wife, Jael, invited Sisera into the tent. When he asked for water, she gave him milk. When he laid down, exhausted from his flight, she covered him with a blanket while she took watch for anyone approaching. But as soon as he fell into a deep sleep, Jael took action.

One day I was discussing with a coworker the job that God had called her to do. She had a difficult conversation ahead and she was not looking forward to it. I remember her words — It’s okay. I can do hard things. She knew that, if this is what God was calling her to do, He would equip her with the right words to say and the courage with which to do it. There have been several times when her words have come back to me as I recognized the challenge ahead of me, and I think of her again this morning as I read through the fourth chapter of Judges.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS, EVEN HARD THINGS, THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

Jael saw that God had strategically positioned her and she was up for this opportunity to let God do SUPER THINGS through her — she made the decision to do a hard thing! I believe God must have given Jael some extra strength as she picked up the tent peg and hammer, walked across the tent, and placed the end of the peg on Sisera’s temple. I believe God must have given her extra courage and superhero strength in order to drive the tent peg into his skull, killing the king and finishing the battle.

So on that day Israel saw GOD DEFEAT Jabin, the Canaanite king. And from that time on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him. – Judges 4:23-24

Once again, God had called His people into battle and He had fought their battle for them. He caused Sisera and his men to panic and flee the battlefield, and He gave Jael the courage to finish the battle. Deborah and Barak led the people of Israel in celebration of this victory. They recognized that when God marched across the battlefield, the earth trembled; when God was present, the mountains quaked.

The people of Israel were living in fear until Deborah “arose as a mother for Israel” (5:7). I love it! The description of this superhero was MOTHER! Are you surprised? Consider the emotional response that all of us have just at the sound of the word “mother” — it often evokes strong feelings of love and security. My mother was the first person I ran to when I needed someone to talk to or cry with, and her arms are where I felt the safest growing up. She is the superhero in my life who taught me how to do hard things by trusting in the God who strategically positions us for His purposes.

The song of celebration continued:
Listen to the village musicians gathered at the watering holes.
They recount the righteous victories of the Lord and the victories of his villagers in Israel.
THEN the people of the Lord marched down to the city gates. – Judges 5:11

What a great example! Before entering into a battle God has called us to fight, let’s look back and remind ourselves of the many victories God has performed in the past. Let’s give Him praise as we stand in confidence of His power and His mercy.

THE GOD OF OUR PAST STRUGGLES IS THE GOD OF BOTH OUR CURRENT BATTLES AND OUR FUTURE VICTORIES.

Lord, we strategically position ourselves in your presence this morning. Fill us with your strength and your courage. We are ready to do what you have asked us to do. Lord, thank you for being the source of victory in our life. We trust you and we obediently follow you today. Amen.

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested…
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts. – Psalm 21:1-2,13