Judges 4:8-10
And Barak said to her, ‘if you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!’ (Judges 4:8).

The older I get, the more I am careful in disapproving people when they make mistakes or exhibit gross weaknesses. I am realising that many factors are involved in the people’s actions and behaviors. This does not mean that we do not say what has been done wrong; it means we assess the situation from the position of mercy and not judgment.

In like manner, I do not blame Barak for his reservation to go to war against Sisera. Israel was no match for their army. However, because they have been trained to know that when God speaks, He means what He says and He can do what He says, we expected Barak to perform better.

Barak was afraid because he knew the havoc that the enemy has done in the past eighteen years. Whatever other reasons he had, I respected him for acknowledging that he cannot go alone. His fears may have led to the sharing of the glory yet he made it to the hall of fame in Hebrews chapter 11.

Moses had the same fear but he directed his fear toward God saying, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). Rather than fear the enemy and withdraw from obeying the Lord, let us ask the Lord to go with us. With Deborah’s support, Barak went to war and God helped them.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself as you share your concerns with the Lord.

Song: Amazing love, how can it be.

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 6