Willing to Fight

Judges 4-5; Psalms 39,41; 1 Corinthians 13 

“When the princes of Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves – praise the Lord!...When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!”

Judges 5:2, 8, 9

Deborah’s heart was with the leaders for their sacrificial choice to offer themselves to the Lord. Just as the people had freely chosen new gods and suffered the consequences of living defenceless under cruel masters, so now, princes had chosen to return to the Lord and willingly offer themselves to him and resist the enemy. When leaders lead and point the way by choosing to glorify God, God’s people follow. When leaders compromise and surrender to new gods, the consequences for God’s people are devastating.

Where are the willing princes today?

Are we fighting our own battles and causes, or are we surrendering to the Lord and his battle, regardless of the cost?

“Lord Jesus, thank you that the battle for your kingdom is yours and the victory has been won. I choose to apply that victory to my life, for your glory.”