April 1st

Judges 3:31-6:40

The Lord used three judges to deliver His people from slavery — Shamgar, Deborah, and Gideon. Notice that Shamgar only had one verse written about him. Still, he must have been a stud. “He killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad” (3:31). That’s impressive in my book, but for some reason his story was left out of Scripture. Tomorrow, we will focus on Gideon. Today, let’s consider Deborah’s ministry.

The period of the judges was an unfortunate cycle that ensnared the Israelites for many generations. Their national stability and prosperity were directly linked to their faithfulness to the covenant and commandments of God. When the people abandoned the Lord for idolatry and immorality, then they forfeited their peace and protection.

At certain times, God would raise up uncommon heroes called judges to deliver His people from their suffering. Of the dozen or so judges, all but one were men. During the days when Jabin, the King of Canaan, oppressed the Israelites with his iron cavalry, it was two women, Deborah and Jael, whom God empowered to deliver them. It was Deborah the prophetess who challenged Barak and his army to face Jabin’s commander Sisera; and, though Barak defeated Sisera’s army, it was Jael who ultimately “pegged” the commander in the end.

A common misconception is that God only uses those “in the ministry” to do His work, or He only chooses to use extraordinary speakers, exceptional leaders, or those with “super-human” powers to become heroes in the faith. The truth is that, most of the time, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him. Though He does call out His Shamgars every now and then, it is the ordinary heroes that achieve the majority of God’s work on earth.

Not one of His followers is unnecessary or overlooked. Every person who loves God and who is faithful to Him can and will be used for His good purposes — the shy teenager, the unseen person in the cubicle, even the forgotten mother and home-builder. In God’s plan, all of us are useful and important.

Daily Reflection

Another common misconception is that not only do you have to be someone important but you have to do something noteworthy to make an impact for God’s kingdom. This is also a lie. All you need to do is what you know to do, be a light for the Lord in ordinary ways, wherever it is that He has placed you. If you are faithful to do your part, God will provide opportunities for you to make a difference.

What are some ways that you can be a light for the Lord where you are?

God takes common faithfulness and produces uncommon results. While He does expect you to be “strong and courageous,” to stand out, to speak up, and to identify yourself as one of His, it is His role to multiply your words and actions.

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

BiAY.org |Day 91 — 274 Days to Go