Title: Be Like Deborah
Memorize: Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. Judges 4:4 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Judges 4:4-16 (Nkjv)
[4] Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
[5] And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
[6] Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun;
[7] and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”
[8] 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!”
[9] 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.
[10] And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; he went up with ten thousand men under his command, and Deborah went up with him.
[11] Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh.
[12] And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.
[13] So Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth Hagoyim to the River Kishon.
[14] Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
[15] And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot.
[16] But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.
Message:
Today’s Bible reading tells us about a great judge and prophetess whose strategic leadership, based on the prophecies she received from God, ignited victory in the heat of battle and turned the tides of war in Israel’s favour.When we first moved to the Redemption Camp (now Redemption City), it was inhabited by snakes and armed robbers.
Whenever my husband travelled for ministrations, I would be left with the children, church workers, and artisans in the middle of a forest, which had now become our new home.
Sometimes, I would cry and wonder what sort of terrible situation we found ourselves in, but | would pick up my faith again and begin to pray in the Holy Ghost until l found rest in my spirit.
In Daddy’s absence, God helped me to kill big snakes, confront some enemies of the church, and even lead male pastors in praying for the future of RCCG.
Today, I look back at those days and say, “Thank you, Jesus, for having this ‘Deborah’s’ back always.” My dear child, be like Deborah anywhere you find yourself; face challenges boldly, and with God on your side, you will overcome.
Key Point:
God has your back always. Don’t be afraid!
HYMN 50: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE
1 Conquerors And Overcomers Now Are We,
Thro’ The Precious Blood Of Christ We’ve Victory
If The Lord Be For Us, We Can Never Fail,
Nothing ‘Gainst His Mighty Pow’r Can E’er Prevail.
Refrain:
Conquerors Are We, Through The Blood Of Jesus,
God Wil Give Us Victory,
Through The Blood Of Jesus,
Thro’ The Lamb For Sinners Slain,
Yet Who Lives And Reigns Again,
More Than Conquerors Are We,
More Than Conquerors Are We.
2 In The Name Of Israel’s God We’ll Onward Press,
Overcoming Sin And All Unrighteousness;
Not To Us, But Unto Him The Praise Shall Be,
For Salvation And For Blood Bought Victory.
3 Unto Him That Overcometh Shall Be Given,
Here To Eat Of Hidden Manna Sent From Heav’n,
Over Yonder He The Victors Palm Shall Bear,
And A Robe Of White, And Golden Crown Shall Wear.
Bible Reading In One Year: Isaiah 6:1-7:25, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye