SCRIPTURE: Judges 5:1-31
OBSERVATION:
This song celebrates Israel’s victory over their cruel (and mighty) oppressors.
God receives the credit, He supported His people with a thunderstorm (heavens poured, mountains quaked, vv.4-5).
Life in Israel went from bad to worse when they turned to foreign gods, only improved when Deborah and other willing leaders led the way back to God.
Some of the tribes failed to show up to support their brothers (vv.13-18), Deborah announces a curse against those who failed to show up (v.23)
Victory comes through the hand of a valiant woman (vv.24-27), intended to shame those who failed to show.
Peace is the result of returning to God.
APPLICATION:
Life apart from God degenerates, life with God moves towards peace.
Repentance does not take away the consequences of our backsliding, but it does bring us back to God Who gives us victory over our sin and its consequences.
God uses those whom society considers insignificant to shame those who think they are wise and strong.
Are my struggles and lack of peace the result of wandering from God, is God waiting for me to repent so that He can help me overcome?
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for not giving up on us when we give up on You. Like Deborah I can testify to the ways that You have bailed me out from the bad choices I have made. Help me not to take Your grace for granted, but to live thankfully and humbly before You. Amen.