Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Judges 5:1-11  (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.

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Reflect

Deborah is one of the most incredible women mentioned in the Bible. Not only was she a prophet, but she is also the only female judge mentioned at all of the scriptures.

This passage is a hymn of victory, sung by Deborah and Barak, after defeating the Canaanites. A victory for the Israelites that would have never been possible without the courageous leadership of Deborah.

God works in the world through the courageous leadership of loyal followers. Likewise, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is only able to function in the world through the work of courageous leadership and faithful volunteers.

In what ways is God calling you to lead courageously today? In what ways is God calling you to be faithful today?

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Pray

God, help me be as courageous as Deborah as I follow you today.

Go with God!