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 4:8-9 (NLT)
14 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. 15 When Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. 16 Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive. Judges 4:14-16 (NLT)
Wow! You would think this would be a huge insult to relinquish credit for victory to a woman, but Barak did not back down. Deborah went to battle with Israel’s army. You might be like me and think that God gave credit to Deborah for the victory-but hold on it gets better!
Deborah seems like the security blanket for Barak’s military attack. She certainly has the faith and trust in what God is doing. We know she has more confidence in God than Israel’s military. Clearly Deborah’s eyes are fixed on God and Barak’s are not! Deborah is delivering God’s call to carry on in the battle.
It was God who gave victory to Israel in this battle against Canaan. It was God who threw the enemy and his military into panic and death. This was not the action of any man or woman. The Bible’s account of Deborah’s leadership gives the reader admiration for her faith and trust in God and His plan when every other leader and indication pointed toward despair.
Not everything always turns out the way we hope and pray. Sometimes the job is lost, the report doesn’t end well, the relationship ends. We all have felt the pain and loss of what we hoped for. But even in those times, God is still working His plan together for you. He is using even the hardest things to bring about His best in you.
Reflect:
When have things worked out better than you planned or hoped for?
Who do you give credit to?
Do you pause and think about who works everything together for your good?
Will you trust God even when life is most disappointing and painful?