Seven Step to Victory

Judges 4:4-10  Deborah, a woman, prophet, and wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel during the rule of Jabin, who had oppressed Israel for twenty years. The commanding officer of his army was Sisera, and he had 900 iron chariots ready for war.

Deborah prophesied and judged under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the mountainous region of Ephraim, where the Israelis would approach her for decisions. She sent word to Abinoam's son Barak from Kedesh-Naphtali, summoning him. She asked him, "The Lord God of Israel has commanded you. He has told you, 'Go out, march to Mount Tabor, and take 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the commanding officer of Jabin's army, along with his chariots and troops, to the Kishon River, where I will drop him right into your hands.'"

"If you go with me, I'll go," Barak replied. "But if you don't go with me, I'm not going."

She responded, "I will surely go with you, but the road you're about to take will not lead to honor for you. The Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak toward Kedesh. Barak called out the army of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali to march on Kedesh, and 10,000 men went out to war with him, along with Deborah.

Sisera's confidence was mainly in his chariots. Deborah's, God's command and promise that theirs was the victory. If we believe God goes before us, we may go on with courage and optimism. Follow Him fully, and don't be overwhelmed by the difficulties you meet when resisting rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Judges 4:14 "Get going!" Deborah told Barak. "Because today's the day when the Lord has dropped Sisera into your hands! Look! The Lord has already gone out ahead of you!" So Barak left Mount Tabor, followed by 10,000 men, and the Lord threw Sisera, all the chariots, and his entire army into a panic right in front of Barak. Then Sisera abandoned his chariot and escaped on foot while Barak chased the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-haggoyim. Sisera's entire army died in the battle – not even one soldier remained.

Barak went down, though disadvantaged, with confidence and dependence on the Divine power. When God goes before us in our spiritual conflicts, we must make a physical and mental effort to rouse ourselves, and when, by His grace, He gives us some success against the enemies of our souls, we must lose no time giving thanks to the Lord for the victory. Judges 5:1-31 is Deborah's song of praise to the Lord with a full heart. Her soul had been a part of this fight, and through the grace of God, the strength of her spiritual enemies was trodden down and fell before them.

Battles in our day and time consist of conflicts which include:

• Strife and disharmony which disrupts relationships.
• Bitterness
• Anger
• Guilt
• Insecurity and anxiety for the future.

Learn from Deborah how to deal with these spiritual enemies. Cry out to God for deliverance. Victory through Him is assured, but we must seek His direction and put forth an effort to see it through.

There are seven steps to victory:

• Recognize your spiritual battles and know that God goes before you.
• Obey God's instructions, trusting His plan. His Word is our guide; if you read it, He will show you the way.
• Do not focus on the strength of the enemy.
• Be confident in God's Word.
• Refrain from being deterred by those who lack spiritual vision.
• Do not compromise with the enemy.
• Give praise and glory to God for the victory.

I am determined to finish this race strong. I must be courageous, bold, and sure, just like Deborah, remembering that she didn't save Israel – she only gave them the courage to believe that God would save them.

© 2023 Debora Gilley