Today’s Reading: Judges 3:31-4:10; Matthew 8:18-22, 21:28-32; Psalm 20

After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad. – Judges 3:31

SHAMGAR, NINJA WARRIOR

The next “superhero” we find in the book of Judges is Shamgar, son of Anath. We do not have much information about Shamgar, except to say that he once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (a long sharp stick used to prod animals). This epitaph of Shamgar’s life is short but sweet. We know that God used Shamgar to rescue Israel from their enemies, and we know that Shamgar had some sick NINJA moves! Now, that’s quite a claim to fame!

But the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight, as they often were in the habit of doing. So God turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor and his commander Sisera, who ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for 20 years (another generation). Scripture says: Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help (Judges 4:3). 20 years passed before the Israelites humbled themselves and cried out for help!

Lord, forgive me for all the times I try to handle things on my own for a while before I finally give up and ask You for help! Forgive me for delaying my recognition that I am helpless on my own. I KNOW I need you every day, in every situation!

Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm. – Psalm 20:6-8

DEBORAH, WONDER WOMAN

The next average-person-turned-superhero is Deborah — the Bible’s Wonder Woman. This is the first time we hear in Scripture of a female placed in a formal leadership position. This woman of God would sit under what became known as the Palm of Deborah, and people would come to her for judgment. Obviously God had given her the gift of wisdom and insight, trusting her with great responsibility.

Deborah must have also strategically positioned herself in God’s presence because scripture says she heard from the Lord. He gave her a message to give to Barak, calling him to lead a group of 10,000 warriors into battle in order to set the people free of their current oppression.

One thing that stands out to me about this co-hero, Barak, is that he put conditions on his obedience to God’s call on his life. He was willing to go into battle, just as God asked, but only if Deborah went with him. Does this hit close to home for anyone else?

Yes, Lord, I’ll do what you ask as long as…
I’ll obey if first you…
I want to trust you, but…

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” – Matthew 8:18-22

God is calling us to respond in obedience to Him, no questions asked. He wants a strong submission to flow out of our love relationship with Him, so that we are eager to be used by Him however He pleases.

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.” – Matthew 21:28-31b

Lord, forgive me for all the times I have put conditions on my obedience to your call. Forgive me for my selfish desire to be comfortable while following your plan. Give me the strength to always say an unqualified “yes” and never “yes, as long as…” Help me to respond in obedience without delay or argument. Lord, my life is yours to use as you see fit. Amen.