Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 4:1-10.

“Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud died.  And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor;  and the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.  The sons of Israel cried to the LORD;  for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.  She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim;  and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment.  Now she sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “Behold, the LORD, the God of Israel, has commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun.  I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will give him into your hand.’”  Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go;  but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”  She said, “I will surely go with you;  nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.”  Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.  Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh, and ten thousand men went up with him;  Deborah also went up with him.”  Judges 4:1-10.

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Barak did not seem worried about Deborah’s statement that the LORD would sell Sisera into the hands of a woman. Barak was more concerned that Deborah would go with him to insure victory. Barak was willing to share the glory for the victory to better insure victory.

Are we primarily concerned about our own glory?

Or, so to speak, are we primarily concerning about gaining the victory for the LORD such that we are willing to share the glory with others to better insure victory?

We do see that Barak was honored by being included in Hebrews chapter 11 Hall of Fame.

“And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  Hebrews 11:32-34. 

Moses requested that the LORD go with him and His people, and Moses also requested to see the glory of the LORD.

Are we primarily concerned with our own glory that we be distinguished worthy for salvation by something that we do, whether it be works or will?

Or, are we primarily concerned that the LORD receive all the glory for our salvation?

“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people?  Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken;  for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”  And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you;  and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”  Exodus 33:16-19.