Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 10, 2024

“so that no one may boast.”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 7:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – Judges 7 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’  Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’”  So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained.

Then the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many;  bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there.  …  The LORD said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands;  so let all the other people go, each man to his home.”  Judges 7:1-4 and 7.

—————-

“Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:18.

We see similar provisions and warnings against pride throughout Scripture, such as in the following Scriptures.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today;  otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies,  then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water;  He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.  In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’  But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.  It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.”  Deuteronomy 8:11-19.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-9. 

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 8, 2024

“Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; … but to those who are the called, …, Christ the power of God”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 6:36-40.

“Then Gideon said to God, “If You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.  If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken.”  And it was so.  When he arose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he drained the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water.  Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your anger burn against me that I may speak once more;  please let me make a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground.”  God did so that night;  for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground.”  Judges 6:36-40.  

————–

God did grant Gideons’ requests for even two signs in this specific time.  God does give signs for His own reasons throughout Scripture, but we should beware of asking for signs for ourself, especially to test God or for our own amusement or because we are lazy or don’t have faith in God’s Word.  Notice what the following Scriptures state generally about asking for signs. 

“You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.”  Deuteronomy 6:16. 

“Jesus said to him (the devil), “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”  Matthew 4:7.

“Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus;  for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.  And he questioned Him at some length;  but He answered him nothing.”  Luke 23:8-9.

“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him (Jesus), “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”  But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;  and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;  for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  Matthew 12:38-40. 

The next two Scriptures are particularly thought-provoking, because it addresses not only the asking for signs, but because it also reveals the power of Christ crucified to give faith.  In other words, we do not come to faith in Christ because of some sign God gave us or because of our own wisdom.  Rather, we come to Christ, because of God’s doing.

“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;  but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:22-24. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 7, 2024

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 6:25-32.

“Now on the same night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it;  and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.”  Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had spoken to him;  and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.

When the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was torn down, and the Asherah which was beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar which had been built.  They said to one another, “Who did this thing?”  And when they searched about and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.”  Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has torn down the altar of Baal, and indeed, he has cut down the Asherah which was beside it.”  But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal, or will you deliver him?  Whoever will plead for him shall be put to death by morning.  If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar.”  Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.”  Judges 6:25-32.  

——————-

As Joash made fun of Baal, “If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar.”, 

“Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD,

“Do not learn the way of the nations,
And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens
Although the nations are terrified by them;
3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion;
Because it is wood cut from the forest,
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
4 “They decorate it with silver and with gold;
They fasten it with nails and with hammers
So that it will not totter.
5 “Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot walk!
Do not fear them,
For they can do no harm,
Nor can they do any good.” Jeremiah 10:1-5.

But, we are also reminded of the exhortation to be strong in the LORD and to put on the full armor of God.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod your FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:10-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 6, 2024

“The LORD is Peace.” – “Peace to you, do not fear”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 6:19-24.

“Then Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour;  he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.  The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.”  And he did so.  Then the angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread;  and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread.  Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight.  When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Alas, O Lord God!  For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”  The LORD said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear;  you shall not die.”  Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.  To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”  Judges 6:19-24.

—————–

“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.” Isaiah 9:6-7.

At first, I thought about only including the verse that calls our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ “Prince of Peace“, but as I read the following verse, I meditated on the importance of of justice and righteousness being in Christ’s kingdom of peace.  In other words, there can be peace in a country that is tightly controlled by a ruthless and evil dictator who causes the people to fear him.  But, there is no justice nor righteousness there.  There is only fear that maintains the peace.  

In today’s Scripture, we notice that the LORD did not only say to Gideon, “Peace to you”, the LORD also said to Gideon, “do not fear”.  

We also meditate that although one of the fruit of the Spirit is peace, there are other fruit that lead to lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them;  and they were terribly frightened.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid;  for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14.

We also notice that the LORD does not give peace to everyone, but only to those “with whom He is pleased.”

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the LORD.” Isaiah 48:22.

“20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20-21.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 5, 2024

“I have chosen you … Do not fear, for I am with you; … I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 6:11-18.

“Then the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites.  The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.”  Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?  And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’  But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”  The LORD looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian.  Have I not sent you?”  He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel?  Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”  But the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.”  So Gideon said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me.  Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You.”  And He said, “I will remain until you return.”  Judges 6:11-18.

——————–    

Even though Gideon rightly pointed out to the LORD that he was “the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house”, the LORD chose Gideon and was with him and sent him to defeat Midian.  

And yet, other doctrine stubbornly prefers to proceed on the basis of their own free-will, their own wisdom, and their own strength.  

But, Reformed Doctrine cherishes God’s choice a/k/a God’s election a/k/a God’s predestination.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.

“8 “But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:10-14.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 4, 2024

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart” – “keep my commandments” – “Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 6:1-10.

“Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD;  and the LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.  The power of Midian prevailed against Israel.  Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.  For it was when Israel had sown, that the Midianites would come up with the Amalekites and the sons of the east and go against them.  So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey.  For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, they would come in like locusts for number, both they and their camels were innumerable;  and they came into the land to devastate it.  So Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the LORD.

Now it came about when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD on account of Midian, that the LORD sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery.  I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land, and I said to you, “I am the LORD your God;  you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live.  But you have not obeyed Me.”’”  Judges 6:1-10.

————-

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:1-12.

But, there is hope!

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 3, 2024

“Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies” – “God is to us a God of deliverances” – “Sing to God”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 5:24-31.

“24 “Most blessed of women is Jael,
The wife of Heber the Kenite;
Most blessed is she of women in the tent.
25 “He asked for water and she gave him milk;
In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
26 “She reached out her hand for the tent peg,
And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer.
Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head;
And she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 “Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay;
Between her feet he bowed, he fell;
Where he bowed, there he fell dead.

28 “Out of the window she looked and lamented,
The mother of Sisera through the lattice,
‘Why does his chariot delay in coming?
Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry?’
29 “Her wise princesses would answer her,
Indeed she repeats her words to herself,
30 ‘Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoil?
A maiden, two maidens for every warrior;
To Sisera a spoil of dyed work,
A spoil of dyed work embroidered,
Dyed work of double embroidery on the neck of the spoiler?’
31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD;
But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.”

And the land was undisturbed for forty years.”  Judges 5:24-31.

—————–    

Today’s Scripture (including this conclusion to the Song of Deborah and Barak) and the story of Jael, Barak, and the victory of the LORD over Sisera and the Canaanites in Judges chapters 4 and 5 remind me of the following Scriptures (particularly those highlighted below in bold italic font) about the LORD, His work, and His people in Psalm chapter 68.   

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate Him flee before Him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish before God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God;
Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.” Psalm 68:1-4.

“11 The Lord gives the command;
The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host:
12 “Kings of armies flee, they flee,
And she who remains at home will divide the spoil!” Psalm 68:11-12.

“19 Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.
20 God is to us a God of deliverances;
And to God the LORD belong escapes from death.
21 Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies,
The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.” Psalm 68:19-21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 1, 2024

“He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 5:19-23.

“19 “The kings came and fought;
Then fought the kings of Canaan
At Taanach near the waters of Megiddo;
They took no plunder in silver.
20 “The stars fought from heaven,
From their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 “The torrent of Kishon swept them away,
The ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.
O my soul, march on with strength.
22 “Then the horses’ hoofs beat
From the dashing, the dashing of his valiant steeds.
23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the LORD,
‘Utterly curse its inhabitants;
Because they did not come to the help of the LORD,
To the help of the LORD against the warriors.’” Judges 5:19-23.

————

Little is known about Meroz.  But, we can glean from verse 23 that there is accountability for those who sit on the sidelines and do not come to the help of the LORD.

In sharp contrast, Barak came to the help of the LORD.

“But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword;  not even one was left.”  Judges 4:16.

The main theme of today’s devotion is verse 20 that the LORD is the One Who gains the victory.

“The stars fought from heaven,
From their courses they fought against Sisera.” Verse 20.

“The LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot.” Judges 4:15.

“Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1.

“16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.” Psalm 33:16-21.

“O sing to the LORD a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
2 The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:1-3.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 29, 2024

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 5:12-18.

“12 “Awake, awake, Deborah;
Awake, awake, sing a song!
Arise, Barak, and take away your captives, O son of Abinoam.
13 “Then survivors came down to the nobles;
The people of the LORD came down to me as warriors.
14 “From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek came down,
Following you, Benjamin, with your peoples;
From Machir commanders came down,
And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office.
15 “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
As was Issachar, so was Barak;
Into the valley they rushed at his heels;
Among the divisions of Reuben
There were great resolves of heart.
16 “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds,
To hear the piping for the flocks?
Among the divisions of Reuben
There were great searchings of heart.
17 “Gilead remained across the Jordan;
And why did Dan stay in ships?
Asher sat at the seashore,
And remained by its landings.
18 “Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death,
And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.” Judges 5:12-18.

—————–

There were those tribes who fought the fight and received the glory of victory.  But, there were other tribes who sat on the sideline to their later regret.  

Likewise, there are those today (and throughout time) who fought the good fight and received the glory of victory and others who sat on the sideline to their later regret.  

Sometimes, there is a good excuse why we sit on the sideline.  But, too often, there is a poor excuse.  

Remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  The one who received five talents and the one who received two talents were rewarded for using their talents for their master, but the one who received one talent was afraid and did not use the talent and was punished.  

“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance;  but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness;  in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 25:29-30.

Remember also the exhortation of Paul to Timothy.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;  in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day;  and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:1-8.

But, there is hope!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 28, 2024

“I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high”

Today’s devotion comes from Judges 5:6-11.

“6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,
In the days of Jael, the highways were deserted,
And travelers went by roundabout ways.
7 “The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel,
Until I, Deborah, arose,
Until I arose, a mother in Israel.
8 “New gods were chosen;
Then war was in the gates.
Not a shield or a spear was seen
Among forty thousand in Israel.
9 “My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,
The volunteers among the people;
Bless the LORD!
10 “You who ride on white donkeys,
You who sit on rich carpets,
And you who travel on the road—sing!
11 “At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places,
There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the LORD,
The righteous deeds for His peasantry in Israel.
Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.” Judges 5:6-11.

——————-

Songs often use figurative language to emphasize certain points as does this Song of Deborah and Barak.  We can imagine the joy of the hustle and bustle of a Saturday morning market of common people filling the streets.  To paint a picture of the state of Israel in sharp contrast to this joyful hustle and bustle, this song of Deborah uses figurative language like “The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel” and “the highways were deserted”.

Everyone was afraid to go outside their house.

Then it got worst.  Israel drifted away from God and chose other gods.  War came into their front yards.  There was no military force to protect them.

“New gods were chosen;
Then war was in the gates.
Not a shield or a spear was seen
Among forty thousand in Israel.” Verse 8.

But, the LORD delivered Israel!

“At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places,
There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the LORD,
The righteous deeds for His peasantry in Israel.
Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.” Verse 11.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.” Psalm chapter 91.

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