FAITH CAN BE SCARY. Judges 4:22.

This coffee cup showing Jael slaying Sisera is one of over 90 portrayals of Judges 4 available from fineartamerica.com. Apparently, Jael has quietly become a hero to many.

Deborah told Barak God’s message: “Attack Sisera and I will hand him over to you” Judges 4:7. But Barak was scared and said, “If you will go with me, I will go. But if you will not go with me, I will not go” v.8.

That does not sound like faith! Faith relies on God. Superstition requires reassurance, like a magic shield, or an idol, or in this case, the presence of God’s prophet, as if Deborah were a lucky charm. Deborah gave Barak God’s answer: she would go with Barak, but “you will receive no honor because the Lord will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand” v.9.

Like so many scenes in the book of JUDGES, an entertaining story follows: Barak attacked Sisera’s forces, they fled, and Sisera ran to the tent of a woman he knew named Jael. She invited him in to hide. When he asked for water, she generously gave him milk. Then she let him lie down. But while he was sleeping, she silently grabbed a hammer and a sharpened tent stake, held the stake above Sisera’s temple, and with a single blow of the hammer drove the stake through his head and deep into the ground.

“Later when Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera, Jael came out to greet him and said, ‘Come and I will show you the man for whom you are looking,’ so Barak went in and there was Sisera dead with a tent peg through his temple!” Judges 4:22.

Sometimes God calls us to boldly face things that require courage and strength. If we obey, the reward is amazing. But if we are afraid, God is merciful. He gave Moses Aaron to handle the public speaking, and he gave Barak Deborah to accompany him into battle. But Barak gave up some of the glory when he chose not to follow God with total faith.

God, help us listen and KNOW your voice. And give us courage and faith to follow you BOLDLY, with no doubt and no hesitation—because we KNOW you love us and plan to bless us! Remind us we do not need good luck charms or special equipment or even the companionship of a prophet like Deborah. Fill us with the courage to walk in faith alone.

ΑΩ