Lessons from Judges

I have started reading through the Book of Judges again after 4 days of encouragement from my good friend Jonathan Schroeder. He is a straight up Old Testament guy. Don't get me wrong, he understands grace and the necessity of it, but at the same time he loves using the law to show how we need grace...typical "Way of the Master" stuff. We were riding down the road together and was just so fired up about some OT stories and how God just reveals so much about himself through these classic events. So in my reading yesterday morning, I got to the story of Deborah in Judges 4. A couple of things stood out to me here:

• God told Deborah to go relate to Barak that it was time to fight for their freedom. Then he said what may be the wimpiest thing I have ever heard, "I'll go if you go..." What is that all about??!! This is a dude telling a woman (not to down the women or anything, but they are not typically known for their skills in battle especially in the OT) that I'm only going if you go. First of all, men we need to lead!! Quit being a pansy and lead your family like God has called you to do. Secondly, following God may not always seem like the smartest safest thing to do...but it is. We find nothing good outside of God's will...Take risks for Jesus. Lastly, there are no rewards for disobeying God. Deborah straight up said, "I'll go but you want receive anything for it." God called Barak to do something and Barak started trying to make deals...Do what God has called you to do, and don't try to justify your fear and make deals so the situation may SEEM easier for you.
• In chapter 5 we see something beautiful. In verse 2 Deborah sings a song that simply says, "When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!!" When is the last time we have willingly offered ourselves to do the work of Jesus.? We don't want anything for it, no reward, no thank you, no glory, no recognition, we simply want to see God glorified...That blesses the heart of God when we see His worthiness and understand the privilege it is to lose our lives for the sake of His Kingdom.