Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Judges 5:1-12 (NRSV)

Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:

“When locks are long in Israel,
when the people offer themselves willingly—
bless the LORD!

“Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;
to the LORD I will sing,
I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.

“LORD, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the region of Edom,
the earth trembled,
and the heavens poured,
the clouds indeed poured water.
The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai,
before the LORD, the God of Israel.

“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, caravans ceased
and travelers kept to the byways.
The peasantry prospered in Israel,
they grew fat on plunder,
because you arose, Deborah,
arose as a mother in Israel.
When new gods were chosen,
then war was in the gates.
Was shield or spear to be seen
among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel
who offered themselves willingly among the people.
Bless the LORD.

“Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys,
you who sit on rich carpets
and you who walk by the way.
To the sound of musicians at the watering places,
there they repeat the triumphs of the LORD,
the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel.

“Then down to the gates marched the people of the LORD.

“Awake, awake, Deborah!
Awake, awake, utter a song!
Arise, Barak, lead away your captives,
O son of Abinoam.

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Reflect

Deborah offers her song of thanks to God for Israel’s victory over the more powerful Canaanites. How many times have you witnessed victory over impossible situations—not wars on battlefronts, but personal battles?

There are many types of battles/conflicts we all “fight” every day. Stop right now and ponder those battles that you are facing, then ask yourself, “Is this a battle over which I have control?” or “Is this a battle that I know I will lose?” or “Is this a battle worth fighting?”

When I taught public school music, one of my principals always said, “Choose your battles.” I have heeded those words of advice for many years, and have come to realize that some battles are just not worth fighting.

Always remember: you have the power to choose.

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Pray

Most loving God, help me to discern which conflicts are worth fighting. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go with God.