Mon.’s Devo - Victory Again

Read: Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Pslam 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4 After Ehud died, Israel went into sin again so God turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor. He ruthlessly oppressed Israel 20 years till they cried out to the Lord for help. God sent them Deborah who was a prophet and a judge. She set up her judgment seat in Ephraim but sent for Barak in Naphtali to lead the army against Jabin’s commander Sisera. She told Barak that he was the lead Israel in battle against Sisera. Barak told Deborah that he wouldn’t go without her. Since he depended on a woman, she said a woman would get the victory. Barak led the army of Israel against Sisera and the Lord gave him such a victory, that none of Sisera’s warriors survived. Sisera fled and came to the tent of Jael. She tricked him and gave him milk then put him to sleep. She was suppose to watch out for any of Israel’s army and tell them he was not there. Instead, she took a tent peg and drove it through his temple while he slept. When Barak reached her, she sent him into her tent to find Sisera dead. Jael got the credit for the victory because she killed the leader. Deborah sang a song about the whole event. She admonished the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar and Naphtali for fighting for Israel, but rebuked Reuben and Dan for staying home. She mentioned Barak but gave the greatest honor to Jael. Deborah spoke of Sisera’s wife as she anxiously waited in vain for her husband’s return and the things he would bring her with the spoil. After Deborah’s victory there was peace in Israel for 40 years. In Luke, Jesus warned them of a shift. Before, they didn’t need to take provision or weapons with them. But the time when darkness would reign was coming and they would need to be prepared. People wouldn’t be so trusting and it would be dangerous for his followers once he was gone. Jesus went alone to pray and prayed so fervently that he sweat drops of blood. This was Gesemene - Jesus hardest battle because it was the one of surrender to God’s plan. God sent an angel to strengthen him for what he was about to endure. The disciples kept falling asleep but the time came when Jesus would be betrayed. Judas showed up and pointed Jesus out with a kiss. Jesus asked him why he would betray him with a kiss. This had to hit Judas in the heart. The disciples wanted to fight and took out their two swords. Peter even cut off the ear of the high priest’s assistant. Jesus put it back on and healed him. It was not the time to fight with swords. Jesus asked the leading priest why they chose to arrest him at night instead of in the Temple. He ended with “this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” Lord, thank you that our sword is your Word. May we wield it to fight until we see the victory.