OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 28/10/2014 - DEBORAH, THE PATRIOTIC WOMAN - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

DEBORAH, THE PATRIOTIC WOMAN

Memorise

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

Read

Judges 4:4–9

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Message

Deborah was a patriotic woman. She was a prophetess, who used the anointing of God on her life to judge and instruct Israel in the way of righteousness. Are you a virtuous woman? In what way is your life affecting your community? The name Deborah means ‘bee’. She lived up to her name by her industry, sagacity and great usefulness to the society, her sweetness to her friends and her sharpness against her enemies. How far does your name influence you? What influence does the name of Christ have upon you? Have you been able to influence others to Christ? Deborah was said to be the wife of Lapidoth. ‘Lapidoth’ means ‘lamp’. As one associated with light, Deborah was a blessing to her community. Are you a blessing or a curse to your family, friends, acquaintances, neighbours, community, state or nation? Deborah was intimately acquainted with God. She was a judge and a prophetess. How close are you to the Almighty? From the life of Deborah, we learn that God depends on man to carry out His rescue operations and programmes. However, no man should see himself as indispensable. God can use anyone. Any man or woman who purges himself or herself can be used as a vessel unto honour by the Master. 2 Timothy 2:21 says:

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Don’t be too big for God. He has alternatives. As a prophetess and a judge, Deborah’s head was perpetually greased by the oil of the anointing. To excel in God’s service, you need the anointing. It is the anointing that destroys the yoke. Deborah was picked from among the rebellious multitude in Israel. God still has His own vessels. He uses whoever yields himself or herself to Him. Deborah did not allow her gender and other issues of time and life to block her focus or stifle her consecration. She was entirely devoted to the service of God in Israel. There is no person without challenges. However, God expects diligence and total consecration in whatever is committed to your hands. Deborah was a good leader. She gave her followers the assurance of victory and did not fail. She raised their hope, and she delivered. Are you a morale-booster or a discourager? She helped the faith of her subordinates to grow strong. She was also submissive to her husband. How submissive are you?

Key Point

God is no respecter of persons. What He needs from you is holy living. Live a life of holiness and you will be used of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

1 Kings 14:1-15:32

Proverbs 18:1-14