Judges 4:8-9 - Mighty warrior women

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”  “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. Judges 4:8-9

I love the story of Deborah. Of the 12 judges God raises during this time period, only one is a woman. It is amazing to me that any women are included in this list, considering this time in history. Israel has again done evil and are in captivity. Deborah tells Barak the Lord commands him to go in to battle to rescue the Israelites. He agrees to, but only if she agrees to go. Barak must have had a great deal of confidence in Deborah and her connection to the Lord. Deborah tells him Sisera, the leader of the opposing army, will be delivered into the hands of a woman. Deborah is not talking about herself. In the heat of the battle, Sisera runs off and hides in the tent of a woman. Jael knows who he is, agrees to hide him, then when he is asleep, hammers a tent peg into his skull!

Lord, Thank you for seeing the strength and potential in each of us. Please use us in whatever way you see fit to do your will. Amen.

Psalm 140:1 - Blessed with non-violence

Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
     protect me from the violent,

As I read many of the psalms, especially 140, I am reminded how blessed I am that I do not live in fear each day. I live in a safe neighborhood, in a safe city, in a safe country. I know there are acts of violence out there, I see them on the news. But my life is so peaceful and protected. It is a blessing I had not really thought about before.

Lord, thank you for the peace and safety I enjoy. Please help me to remember what a blessing it is and please help those who are faced with violence and evildoers every day. Amen.

Psalm 124:8 - Victory

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
     the Maker of heaven and earth.

This Psalm, written by David, starts out by saying if the Lord had not been with us we would have been defeated. One line states, "We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare." David knew about battle. He knew when his army was out numbered and should have lost. He knew when God was responsible for the victory.

Lord, thank you for the help you provide. Please help us know who is responsible for our victories and give you the honor and glory. Amen.

Psalm 107:23-34 - Miracles?

Psalm 107:23-32New International Version (NIV)

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.

The other day I was talking with my sisters about miracles. Do miracles happen today? Are people miraculously healed because they have prayed? Do people find their keys because they prayed to find them? Does God work that intricately in our lives? I think yes and no. I think miracles are for God's purposes, not mans. The passage above to me perfectly explains a miracle. The Israelites were rebellious and God was attempted many things to bring them back to him. He put them in a situation of peril and when they cried out to him, he rescued them. It was a miracle! He calmed the seas! They gave thanks to the Lord. So, do miracles happen today? I think yes, but God's not our miracle maker in the sky. Miracles are for his purposes.

Lord, thank you for showing us examples of miracles in the Bible. Please help us to rely on you for all things and trust in you always. Amen.

Psalm 18:16 - Rescue

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
     he drew me out of deep waters.

The first few verses of Psalm 18 talk about God's power and glory. The next group of verses (16-29) focus on how God rescues us. I love in verse 19 it says, "he rescued me because he delighted in me." I've seen the word delighted a few times in scripture, referring to how God feels about us.  It feels nice to be "delighted in." God knows where we are. He knows when we need rescued. He loves us and wants us to put our trust in him so that he can rescue us.

Lord, thank you for rescuing us. Please help us to always trust in you. Amen.