DAY 1 – September 28, 2009

TITLE: “THE LORD THE GOD OF ISRAEL COMMANDS YOU”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-15

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-7

KEY VERSE: “She sent for Barak son of Abinoam form Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor.’” Judges 4:6

The Israelites did it again, after all God had done for them. The Israelites went back to doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord responded by selling them into the hands of Jay, being a King of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of the King's army was Sisera. This commander had a powerful army with 900, on chariots, for 20 years. He cruelly oppressed the Israelites. In their pain, they cried out to the Lord for help. They cried out to the commander, who is Lord of all.

God responded by giving Deborah, a prophetess, who was leading Israel at that time, a word of hope and help. She sent for Barak and said to him, “…The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor.” Judges 4:6. This was not a word from a human leader, but a word from the divine commander. With the command came the information that the divine commander would lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River. The Lord then said he would give Sisera into his hands.

Who is your commander today? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, uses the language of a soldier. He tells us to, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 2:3. The Apostle Paul then goes on to say that no one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs, for he wants to please his commanding officer. As soldiers of Christ Jesus, our call is to flee the wrong type of lifestyle. We please God, by obedience to His commands.

I love the story of the young pianist who played his first big concert. When he completed his last song the crowd stood, giving the young pianist a standing ovation. The promoter of the concert came onstage applauding the young pianist. However, he noticed the young man seemed concerned, undistracted. He asked the pianist what was wrong? He went on to comment that everybody loved his performance. Pointing to an old man seated in the balcony he said, “Not everyone.” The promoter said, “What does it matter if one man does not like your performance?” The pianist responded, “That one man is my teacher, he is the one person I wanted to please.”

There is one commander, who is Lord of all, that we are called to please through obedience to His commands. Will you make it your goal today to please the Divine Commander?

DAY 2 – September 29, 2009

TITLE: “BUT IF YOU DON’T GO WITH ME”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-15

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:8

KEY VERSE: “Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.” Judges 4:8

There have been many times in the past when our youngest daughter, Amanda, would often ask me to go with her. Sometimes it was because of fear of the dark that caused her not to want to go into another room on her own. There have been times she has asked me to go with her to do something because she wanted some help in doing it. As the years go by, those times of her asking me to go with her seem to become less and less. Now, the more common phrase seems to be, “I can do it by myself.”

Barak was not willing to go to Mount Tabor, without the Prophetess Deborah, going with him. He attached his own conditions to the command that had been given him. His going was contingent upon Deborah going with him. God had given him a word through Deborah, but that was not enough for Barak. Simply put, the presence of the war was not enough for Barak.

Have you ever tried to bargain or make a deal with God? Perhaps there has been some time when you have said, “God, I will do what you want me to do if You do this.” For example, if You give me a good job and a raise, I will start paying my tithe. Another example might be, God, if You will send more Christians around me at work I will start being a witness for You.

Contained in this one phrase of Barak is the truth that his trust was not in God alone. He wanted a person with him that he could see failing to depend alone on the God who is only seen through faith. Are you willing to take God at His word and depend upon him today? Obedience to God's word often means we have to step out in faith that God will be enough. His word will be enough for you today, if you listen and depend upon Him. His strength will be sufficient today, if you lean on His strength in your weakness. His presence will be enough for you today, for He has promised to be with you.

This morning at our family devotional time, we read and discussed the promise contained in Joshua 1:5. There, God promised Joshua, that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Sharon shared how that morning in her devotions the Lord had encouraged her to resolve the promise of God's presence. We then turn to Hebrews 13, were once again, we read and reflected on the promise, “…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

The promise of God’s presence is for you today. He has promised to be with you. Take a few moments to prayerfully reflect on the promise contained within the commission God has given us. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

DAY 3 – September 30, 2009

TITLE: “GOING ABOUT IT THE RIGHT WAY”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-15

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:9-10

KEY VERSE: “‘Very well,’ Deborah said, ‘I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.’ So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.” Judges 4:9

How you go about doing something can really make a big difference. Have you ever gone about something the wrong way? I remember years ago, I thought I would make a frame for one of Sharon’s paintings. I started by estimating in cutting the wood instead of carefully planning and measuring. Sadly, the way I went about doing the project resulted in a crooked looking frame and numerous other problems I encountered.

I am sure many of us could think of many examples of problems or situations we went about dealing with in the wrong way. Barak did not go about doing what God called him to do in a way that honored or pleased God. Instead of doing what God told him to do, he said he would only go if Deborah would go with him. With courage she agreed to go with him. However, Deborah told Barak that because of the way he went about doing what God called him to do, the honor would not be his, but would be given to a woman.

How will you go about doing what God has called you to do today? The good news is that we can ask God for guidance and help. The Psalmist reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. God offers His guidance and direction today. God really does have a plan.

To the student that is willing to learn, there are a variety of lessons and teachers available on a variety of subjects. The other day I met a man who makes his living, teaching keyboard over the internet. Through the internet you can learn everything from making balloon animals to painting. The reason many take lessons are so they can go about learning something the right way the first time. Will you ask God to be your teacher today and show you how to go about doing what He wants you to do today?

DAY 4 – October 1, 2009

TITLE: “THE GREEN LIGHT OF OBEDIENCE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-15

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:11-14

KEY VERSE: “Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?’ So Barak went down Mount Tabor, followed by ten thousand men.” Judges 4:14

The green light means go. At Disneyland Park in Southern California there is a ride that our daughter, Amanda, enjoys riding by the name of Autopia. The ride consists of cars that you drive around a track. In my personal experience, the ride usually consistd of one other thing. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed a long line, you were right. Though the ride provides for what is known as a fast pass, if you desire to get one, even with the fast pass the line can take a while. However, while you wait there is a section where there are little movie time scenes you can watch. One of those is about a car that is sitting behind another car at a green light. The second car talks communicating that the wait is long as it anxiously waits for it to turn green. However, by the time it turns green the first car had fallen to sleep and sleeps through the light. Because of this, the cars miss their opportunity to go, because the light turns red before they move.

The light was green for Barak to move forward in obedience to God’s command. Deborah gives the command to, “Go!” The time of waiting was over. Deborah reminds Barak of the promises of the Lord. He had promised to give the enemy into his hands. With their trust in God and His promises, it was time to move forward and put their trust into action. With the Lord leading the way, this was the day to go and move forward in obedience.

Procrastination can easily get in the way of obedience. We cannot afford to sleep through God’s green light. When God calls us to go forth in obedience, we must go. God’s go in our lives is always accompanied by His presence. Matthew 28:19-20, takes every disciple to the green light of God’s mission for our lives. It says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I encourage you to read the promise contained in the last part of that verse again. God promises to be with us as we go forward in obedience to His command and call.

What is the green light God has for you today? Take some time to prayerfully ask God to show you the areas where He is showing you to go forward in obedience today. Put your trust in His word and the promise of His presence. As Deborah said, “…Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Judges 4:14

DAY 5 – October 2, 2009

TITLE: “AT BARAK’S ADVANCE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:1-15

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 4:15

KEY VERSE: “At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.” Judges 4:15

When Barak moved forward in obedience, the scripture tells us the Lord routed Sisera. In other words, God did what He promised when Barak moved forward in obedience and faith.

In the New Testament, one of my favorite stories is of Peter walking on the water. Mathew 14:22-32, tells the story. Jesus had instructed His disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. However, when evening came the boat was a considerable distance from the land and was being buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. The scripture records that during the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

The story continues that when the disciples saw Him walking on the lake they were terrified. They had never seen Jesus walk on water before. They were terrified and cried out, “It’s a ghost.” Immediately through the night Jesus called out, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” I love those words, don’t be afraid.

The scripture records that Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus simply responded, “Come.” The scripture then tells us Peter got down out of the boat, and walked on the water toward Jesus. Wow! He did something that no other disciple did because he got out of the boat. He took a step of obedience in response to the invitation of Jesus to come.

As most of you may know the story does not end there. Peter began to see the wind and in fear began to sink. Crying out to the Lord for help the scripture says, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him...” Matthew 14:31. I love the point that Jesus was there for him and able to reach out and save him, meeting his need. Jesus had a word for him. He said to Peter, “…You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31. His limited faith and doubt resulted in sinking.

There is much that can be said in this story about Peter's lack of faith, but I think it is important that we understand that Peter walked on water at least for a while because he had enough faith to get out of the boat. It was in the stepping out of the boat that he walked on water, if even for a short time. It was in the stepping out of the boat that he experienced the power of Christ in a new and significant way.

It was when Barak stepped out of the boat, so to speak in obedience, that he experienced the power of God to conquer Sisera and all of his chariots and army, as He had promised. Will you step out of the boat in obedience today so you can experience what God can and desires to teach you and do in your life?