Against All Odds
Word of the Year
We come across a number of terms in our daily lives, especially as the year draws to a close. We have terms such as 'car of the year' and 'song of the year'; however, what surprised me most was that we have a term called 'word of the year'.
Did you know that each year, 'Oxford languages' compiles a big collection of daily news articles for their staff of lexicographers to scan, analyze, and narrow down on—word of the year.
And guess what, the Word of the Year 2020 was ‘Lockdown’.
As I was processing this, I was led back to my original question: what are the words or phrases that keep coming to your mind? Because those same things influence our decisions, actions, and lifestyles, whether we are aware of it or not. It is for this reason that the scriptures encourage us to hear and treasure the word.
It is highly likely that rebellion and oppression would have been among the words of the year during the period when one of the major figures we are exploring today served as the judge of Israel. In the following narrative, we discover how this individual chose to keep seeking God and remained obedient to Him despite people around her kept denying His existence.
The woman who was the judge of Israel
A prophetess, a gifted leader, a brilliant strategist the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible, Deborah can be considered as one of the most significant and unique people from the Bible.
She lived in a time where the Israelites had just emerged from their slavery era in Egypt, but continued to be in rebellion and did what they believed would be best for them. In an age of battles and wars, Deborah was appointed as a judge to lead the Israelites through periods of spiritual decline, moral compromises, and societal corruption.
And what is it about her that makes her unique? It was her desire to make God known to the people of Israel, despite those years of oppression. It is this quality and identity that a true follower of God represents.
God seeking lifestyle
In a God seeking lifestyle,
You enjoy the peace of Jesus, when others around you are in chaos and panic.
You stay true to your convictions in Christ, when others around you are falling prey to temptations and compromising attitudes.
You make the decision to give in to your faith and obedience to Christ, when others around you are giving in to fear and oppression.
What's even more remarkable is that a woman like Deborah who is leading an entire nation, does it through pure revelation from the living God rather than relying on her own strength and understanding.
Ask yourself these questions to determine whether you are seeking God personally,
Do you live a life that pleases God?
Do the choices you make please God?
Do the habits that you cultivate resonate with the desires Jesus has for you?
Do the plans and dreams you have align with what God wants for you?
When you pursue a God-centered lifestyle, you will be able to turn the roadblocks in your life into opportunities to seek Jesus even more.
Deborah was able to bring justice, wisdom and perspective to the lives of others, because of her strong, audacious ability to put God above everything else.
Seek the heart of God to know the plans He has for you
It is common for us humans to often lose focus in situations, and involve ourselves in selfish activities, not taking into account God's purposes. However, Deborah shows us what it means to pursue the heart of God. She does this by encouraging and equipping the people around her with the timely word of God!
It is not knowledge that breaks our shackles of spiritual oppression and bondage, but it is revelation of God that breaks us free from the chains that bind us.
The important thing to remember is that in our journey with God, it is not always about achieving things on our own. Rather, at times we need Deborahs in our lives to help us experience and understand the power of a God revelation.
Therefore, surround yourself with people who live their lives from a God-given revelation!
The Israelites, who did not live a God-centered lifestyle, made their own personal choices. They,
Chose to please themselves
Lived in disobedience to God
Eventually came under torture from their enemies and faced large opposition.
Consequently, the people were driven into rebellion, corruption, and finally oppression. They were not in sync with Jesus.
Are you in sync with who Jesus is in your life?
Or
Are you just updated with every possible piece of information that you’re left in worry and fear?
Make it a practice to seek Jesus continuously, to focus your vision and your life on who He is, rather than the circumstances around you. Our Lord desires for us to look beyond our current challenges and limitations, and to look forward to the glorious hope that we have in Him for the future.
The General of the Army
Deborah's story would be incomplete without Barak. A man chosen by God to lead his people into battle, fulfill his call to serve as a military leader and provide his people with relief from their struggle.
As opposed to going out on his own and relying solely on himself, he decides to rely on Deborah as a voice for the people of Israel. From this we learn that, sometimes, we do not have the right perspective or sufficient faith, we are not able to discern what God is doing. Therefore, it is always better to rely on those who do.
This is not to suggest that Barak lacked the skills, strategy, or talent to lead Israel to war and bring the nation out of its current impasse. During this time of crisis, Barak needed to be reminded of God's true identity.
In Judges 4:12-14, Deborah reminds him of the presence of God, that he should not focus on the circumstances, but on the Lord. She asks, Does not the Lord go out before you?
If there is one thing you would like to take away from today, it is this powerful reminder and question.
Conclusion
Before encountering Christ, we too were in a similar situation. In the face of life's most challenging and difficult moments, we have been surrounded by oppression, fear, and panic.
But Jesus' love and sacrifice transcend all these circumstances and moments to deliver us from our sins and our rebellious past to a glorious new life in Him.
Faith in Jesus and obedience to Him enable us to experience a new future and a new life.
Likewise, today He reminds us to hold this close to our hearts: "Against all odds, I am with you. I will lead you, I will guide you."