Pearls of Great Value

Deborah. I love, love this woman of God! She is such an awesome encouragement! An inspiration. She, who lived in a bleak and dark time in history, didn’t let herself shrink back or go into, “woe is me” attitude. Let me just say this for a second...Self pity? Has never been a friend to anyone. Never. It has never been a help, but always hindered. It has and always will, hold back and it’s a destroyer of destiny. Here is some Debra advice: 

Now is not the time to let self pity arise. Now is not the time to sit back and watch as the people continue to suffer. Pity steals your courage. It says to God, I don’t trust you. Pity creeps in and takes over, pulling you down. It does this because its focus is on self, on the problems, on the lack. And if you dwell in this state of self pity long enough, depression sneaks in. That is a place none of us wants to go to! I’m not saying life isn’t tough. I’m not saying we don’t face sadness and sorrow. I’m not saying, just be happy all the time. No, what I am saying is, there is power in being part of Gods family! Let’s acknowledge that. Let’s acknowledge Him who is the answer, who is the way! I have so much compassion for those struggling through this. My heart hurts for those who are overwhelmed and oppressed! That is why I love the story of Deborah so much. It speaks of overcoming through the darkest of times. She might not have felt brave or courageous! But listen! She arose! And God gave to her what she needed, the courage to do the next thing. Sometimes that one step is the step that leads out of struggle. Listen! There is a season of mourning, but it is in this season that God births the joy of the next one. So get close to Him! You are going into a season of rejoicing. You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided! He turns your mourning into dancing. He pours the oil of joy over your soul and lifts you up out of the miry clay. He sets your feet on solid rock and enlarges the ground beneath your feet. Do you see? 

 Look at Deborah! The Bible tells us she lived at a time when village life had ceased. ““In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways were deserted, And the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel.” Judges‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬. Basically, life wasn’t that good. Life wasn’t lived in freedom but in fear, hence why travelers chose the backroads over the main roads. Village life ceased. To me, I believe that this is talking about the economy or the way of life; the trading and the markets ceased. Everyone stayed at home. The warrior spirit that was needed to preserve the culture had ceased: 

The Amplified version says, “Public roads were abandoned, travelers went by backroads. Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel.” 

What is interesting to me is the name Deborah. It means a hornet, wasp, or a wild honey bee. These are warriors. You do not want to get in the way of an angry hornet. Nor do you want to disturb the nests or homes of these insects. They fiercely fight to keep the home from any invasions. And this is how Deborah arose! Like a mother to protect her children, she arose. As a hornet who was upset at the circumstances, she arose. As a honey bee to protect the hive and honey, she arose. She saw the injustice, she saw the lack, she noticed the dying of a culture, and righteous indignation arose in her. What did she do? She arose to provide answers. She arose a  leader. She arose to encourage the warriors to fight. She didn’t back down and she didn’t give up in spite of the mountain in front of her! No, she arose! 

This word arose is awesome. For me it speaks action. It says, Get up from your place of rest and complacency! Get up and do something! Arise, like the dawn and make a difference. Up, up! There is work to do to establish a new way, to establish the kingdom of God. Arise and shine His glory! This is the warrior spirit with which Deborah arose. 

 Despite the times we live in, despite the circumstances, let us not be deterred. Let us be a Deborah. Can we find within ourselves the spirit that will arise in the midst of hopelessness and speak courage? Will we see that the Lord in the midst of us is mighty and reflect that? Do we have the heart of David, of Daniel, of Esther? I say we do. I say, that if they could overcome despite the odds against them, we can as well. As long as Jesus is on the throne, as long as God still answers prayers, as long as angels are fighting on our side, we will not be defeated. WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! We are strong in the Lord and by His spirit we will overcome!  I believe for a better tomorrow, for a brighter future. I’m going to declare it. I’m going to proclaim it. I will be a voice of the Lord! 

 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!” Psa. 68:1 ESV