Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go. “Certainly, I will go with you,” said Deborah”

Judges 4: 1,8, 9a NIV

Deborah, servant of God, prophet, judge, wife, sat under a tree to settle disputes for the Israelites. The Bible mentions she “led” Israel.

As Deborah did her duties as judge, she received a message from God about defeating one of Israel’s enemies. She did not hesitate to act on that message. She relayed the message to Barak that God would deliver them from Sisera and King Jabin if they would go and do what he said.

Barak, who knows why, seemed hesitant to act. Did he have some doubt as to the validity of the message? Did fear rule his decision-making process? Was the task so daunting he did not feel he could carry it out?

Barak seemed to draw confidence and bravery from Deborah. He asked her to accompany him on this mission even though men, at that time, did not usually want a woman going into battle with them.

Because they both obeyed God’s plan, victory happened.

What a powerful testimony of Deborah’s character! Her faith in God led others to want her to join them in times of difficulty. Her actions proved her divine faith and others noticed.

This story leads me to ask -- are we the kind of faithful followers of Christ whom others seek out? Do they feel the presence of God in us? Do they see that our actions reflect our beliefs and our deep faith in him?

I challenge myself to be that kind of believer. I challenge you too. Let us be the “Deborah” in our world. Let us treat each other fairly and be ready to walk beside each other in our life journeys “certainly.”

Father, let the light of Jesus living in us shine so brightly that others see you in us.

Susan Partida