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Courage to Fight

Judges 4:6-7

She (Deborah) summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: ‘Go, deploy the troops on Mount Tabor and take with you 10,000 men from the Naphtalites and Zebulunites? Then I will lure Sisera commander of Jabin’s forces, his chariots, and his army at the Wadi Kishon to fight against you, and I will hand him over to you.

Deborah reminded Barak of his command from God. Since she was a prophetess, the original command probably came through her. For some reason, Barak had not followed through on the LORD’s command, and Deborah confronted him. 

Barak means “lightning, gleam, flashing sword.” How could God use Barak as a mighty weapon if he would not go into battle? Fear was keeping him from his purpose and from victory. Perhaps, he was afraid of losing men or of the intimidating chariots. These were certainly valid fears since Jabin’s army had oppressed them for 20 years.  With such a long history of defeat, his courage waned. If the commander of God’s army lacked courage, how could the troops have courage to fight?

We live in a day when men lack courage. Many of them suffer from long histories of defeat, and the woke culture degrades masculinity as toxic. If they have never tasted real victory, they will be hesitant to go into battle, especially when surrender is an easy option. A man won’t tackle a battle he doesn’t think he can win. In such a time, God may very well use a woman in a leadership role to bring victory. Don’t ever think God can’t use you in certain roles just because you are a woman. God can use anyone He chooses! When God can’t find a man to fill a leadership role, He will use a woman! He looks for the heart of faith that is dependent upon Him and will follow through with His command.

God had promised the victory when He gave the command. He sent them into Mount Tabor, which means “mountain of pain.” Our greatest victories come when we are willing to march into our mountains of pain and confront the enemy. Like Barak, we are often hesitant to go to such places because they can be very uncomfortable. Until we do, however, they enemy has certain authority over us. We must be willing to fight and to take charge of our lives once again.

Where do you need victory today? What mountains of pain have you been avoiding? You must come to a point where you hate your enemy enough to be violent with him if you are ever to be free of him. God has already promised you the victory, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper! Be willing to tackle your own mountain of pain, and watch what God will do on your behalf. He will not send you into a losing battle but will route the enemy into a trap. Be strong and very courageous, and take time to encourage any men in your life.  We all need to experience the thrill of victory over our enemy.

Have a blessed day! 

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