09/05/2022 - SAD STATEMENT

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And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” Judges 4.8

Truly, the Lord’s mercies are the reason why we are not consumed! (Lamentations 3.22). Upon hearing Barak´s declaration, who had been trained and called to lead the war against King Jabin, God could have struck him dead on the spot. Perhaps he was not bad, but he did not feel fully prepared to win that battle. Years earlier, Israel had only been able to defeat the Amalekites because Moses had laid his hands on Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17.12).

Apparently, in Barak’s words, there was enough material for him to have been despised at that moment. However, since the Most High is compassionate, He made Deborah accept Barak’s request and go off to battle with him. Interestingly, she used no gimmicks to avoid the battlefront – she never claimed that it was not appropriate for her because she was Lapidoth’s wife, nor that a war is not for women. We are all equal!

Before answering that which you have been asked, it´s good to seek divine guidance in the Scriptures. Although they were written years ago, they contain all we will need until our last day on Earth (Psalm 119:103; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Each case is a case and must be treated separately. We don’t run the Church, so let God tell us how to act in all matters. Never do what your heart dictates, for it is not good (Jeremiah 17:9).

Imposing conditions to fulfill God’s commands is out of the question. Although the adversary is well-armed, whoever receives the task of doing something in the divine work must believe that he is more prepared than the biggest army in the world (Isaiah 54:17). If you are called to any mission, consider yourself equipped, start the fight, and remain submissive to the Lord. This way, you will be victorious.

About 500 years later, the prophet Isaiah made a statement that sealed this issue once and for all: ‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41.10). So, no matter where and when; if you are summoned, answer, for a servant of the Most High will never be left alone. The Lord will be by his side to guard and use him!

Barak was sincere in saying that he would not go without Deborah, and she understood what was going on in his heart, assuring him that she would go with him. She was the first and only judge in Israel, the first prophetess, as well as the first commander of Israel´s army. We should never condition our obedience to someone´s presence. After all, God’s Book is now complete, containing countless promises for His people. Watch, pray and believe!

The war was the Lord’s, and the characters who would take part in it next to Him were only servants who obeyed Him. Not all of them went to battle, but for God this was not important, because He would defeat His enemies. Centuries later, King Asa, seeing that Zerah had twice as many soldiers as he did, prayed for divine help (2 Chronicles 14:11). Cry out!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares