Daily Devotional for Friday, October 21 

Song of Deborah

I was reminded recently that we spend our whole life in spiritual warfare. Not just big moments of our life, but every moment of our life. It is estimated that adult humans make thirty-five thousand conscious decisions each day. Each one of those is a moment we can worship God or oppose God. 

In Israel’s warfare during Deborah’s day, there was a variety of responses to her call to make war on the enemies of God. Warriors had been scarce but when she responded to her call from God, suddenly others were emboldened. Some were experienced warriors who had won great battles before but had been simply needing the encouragement of fellow brothers. Others had held leadership roles previously and only needed to be marshalled to fight another day. There were those who searched their own hearts, over and over, only to decide that the comfort of home, the money to be made, the pleasant call of the sea was greater than the call of the Lord to fight. It might mean their life and it was a risk. After all, many would fall to the adversary. 

The battle often comes down to the one person who is willing to confront evil in the home. In Deborah’s day, it was a woman who used both hands to violently assault the very head of the enemy. She shone brightly that day and is celebrated by the Holy Spirit in this hero’s song. This woman stepped up when a man who had been called by the Lord would not take on the responsibility. 

It is a sad legacy in the history of the Lord’s churches when you hear the statement, “If it had not been for the women, this church would have closed their doors.” Where are the men? 

REFLECTION: Will you be one who will respond to God’s call to spiritual warfare in each moment of your life?

David Thompson