13/12/2018 - DECISION THAT COST THE GLORY

• 
• 
• 
• 

So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. Judges 4: 9

The nation of Israel could no longer bear the oppression of Jabin the king of Canaan. But they should know that bad experiences occur because we are often not right with God. After Ehud’s death, the Canaanite king oppressed the Israelites for 20 years. How long has the devil been oppressing you and you can not fulfill your dreams? It is necessary to take a stand before the Most High and seek His forgiveness to be free.

There was a revival led by a woman, something rare to be seen in those days. However, Deborah brought down the prejudice against women, by seeking the Lord. Since it only happens with those who seek God, the Most High began to use her, and the news spread, and Barak, a judge of God, perceived the call of the Almighty for a great work. Timidity, however, did not let him attend this mission, so Deborah asked others to go get him.

Barak and Deborah probably new each other, because good people came to her to pray and seek counsel. When he received her invitation, Barak hurried and went to her. In those days, misery prevailed in the land that once flowed milk and honey. This was the result due to the people’s behavior – they did not live right in the eyes of the Lord. For the same reason, there are many children of God in trouble today, without even having the means to provide for their own living.

In presenting himself to the prophetess, Barak received the confirmation of his calling, but fear did not allow him to fulfill the divine will. So he declared that he would fight Captain Sisera – with 900 iron cars and thousands of soldiers – only if the prophetess was at his side. What a strange decision Barak made, but, considering the conditions of his people, only with the help of this woman, he would be ready to go to war.

Deborah would go with him, but on one condition: the honor throughout the way that Barak would receive would not be his, but of a woman. It would not be Deborah’s wither, but of a simple housewife, because the man who terrorized Israel with his mighty army would be sold, and such a woman would slay him. It is not good to hesitate before the Lord’s calling. Surely God will march ahead of you to give you the victory. Once Barak conditioned his going, he lost the glory of the victory!

The situation of the Israelites was very precarious; so Barak gathered ten thousand men on Mount Tabor, and left with them on foot to face Sisera. It happened just as the Lord had promised him; after all, God was fighting for Israel. Realizing that his army was not strong enough to face the Israelites, who had a supernatural force, Sisera ran and took refuge in the house of Jael and, by her hand, he was nailed to the ground.

There are many useful lessons for whom God calls to the battles of salvation. The servants should fear nothing but the Most High. He will guide them to victory. If they have good judgment, they will do what He says without losing the honor to anyone. Success is best when we fight alone!

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares