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These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. Whether we are Christian leaders or new believers, this group approach to Bible journaling is encouraging.
If you are not familiar with the term, we used the SOAP acronym as a simple devotional guide... standing for:
- Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
- Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
- Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
- Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?
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My
devotional Bible reading today included the story in Judges 4-5 where Deborah the
judge of Israel and Barak the “general” were called by God to bring deliverance
to the oppressed people in Israel from Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army.
While much could be said about Deborah, who was functioning as the spiritual leader of at least the northern region of Israel, and Barak’s profound confidence in her leadership, the verses that stood out to me today are more applicable
to our current international crisis.
S = The first verse is
when God issued a clear call to Barak through Deborah in Judges 4:6
She [Deborah] sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali
and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you,
‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor,
taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali
and the
people of Zebulun.
And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army,
to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops,
and I will give him into your hand’?”
And the second section is from their extended song of celebration as they recounted the
victory in Judges 5:1-2,
Then sang Deborah and
Barak the son of Abinoam on that day:
“That the leaders took
the lead in Israel,
that the people offered themselves
willingly,
bless the Lord!”
O = After Israel
had suffered, being cruelly oppressed for 20 years by the king of Canaan (4:3)
they finally cried out to the Lord
for help. In those days, Deborah rose to judge Israel, leading them towards the
Lord, even before there was a military victory. She reminds me a bit of John
the Baptist who prepared the way for deliverance. However, after Israel cried
out, it seems that almost immediately God answered. She prophetically called
Barak to lead his men into battle against a numerous and well-armed enemy.
Later,
after the battle had been won, Deborah and Barak joined together to sing in
celebration of the Lord’s deliverance through the people doing what they should
do in a crisis. After calling on the Lord, “the leaders took the lead”
and “the people offered themselves willingly.”
I don't know about you, but I love it when leaders "take the lead" not merely by making decisions, but by setting an example. A general can plan and issue orders far from the battle, but Barak and Deborah were at the front, leading by example. When leaders set an example, people give themselves willingly.
I don't know about you, but I love it when leaders "take the lead" not merely by making decisions, but by setting an example. A general can plan and issue orders far from the battle, but Barak and Deborah were at the front, leading by example. When leaders set an example, people give themselves willingly.
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In
Judges, some tribes did not join in the fight, choosing to do nothing (4:15b-17)
but Zebulun and Issachar did what needed to be done! What part will we play in
this current crisis?
Sure,
things can get scary in a hurry. However, in this story, it was once the enemy
had come out with all the strength of their forces, that Deborah repeated the
call to Barak,
“Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from
Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him.”
If the Lord goes out before us... that assumes that we will follow. It is always encouraging to see how so many do just that.
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A = This week, how will
we follow the Lord into battle against the ultimate unseen enemy? How seriously will we take the guidelines to keep
from spreading the disease? Will we pray? What will we give? How will we serve others by
meeting practical needs? Will we check in on family, friends, and others? Will
we join with others to sing and praise the goodness of God even in the midst of
this crisis via our digital gatherings and life groups?
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