Today’s Reading, Judges 3-5
Focal Scripture: Judges 4:23 “That day God subdued King Jabin of Canaan before the Israelites.”
I was reminded today that the Lord does mighty works. To be very transparent I have been struggling with how I am going to serve the Lord and his people. Then today I had the opportunity to serve a church and its students. During this meeting, it dawned on me that the Lord has provided me a great opportunity. I get to use my gifts to glorify him and love on churches. Being out of full time ministry the last two years has been difficult. However, I am now beginning to see what the Lord is up to in my life and the life of others.
In today’s reading we see how Deborah and Barak avenged the people and were used by God to fulfill his purpose. Since the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord they were given over to their enemies. However, since the Lord cares about his people, he raised up a judge to help deliver them from their enemies. Their oppressor was killed by having a tent peg driven through his head. The point of this account is to demonstrate that God disciplines his people and yet still looks out after them. He does mighty works, even when it doesn’t make any sense.
This reality has been hard to learn in my life. I have been so focused on what I lost, instead of focusing on what the Lord has provided for me and my family. I went from being at a place that meant the world to me personally. Being in a ministry context, where I got to see the Lord move in mighty ways, and in the lives of the students and the community. Then to having to leave that place because of sin and unbiblical behavior.
However, now I see that God brought me back to this area because he had bigger plans. He knew that if those situations never happened, I never would have left. It was a painful journey but one I needed to travel. I learned a lot about myself. I also learned that I can’t trust everyone to do what is right in life and ministry. I have finally come to the realization that ministry doesn’t have to look the way I thought.
The Lord is up to mighty works in my life and your life. Sometimes, he will use evil people, to get his people, right where they need to be in their personal life. Just like God used Israel’s enemies to demonstrate his righteous judgment. God used the sin of others to push me out of my comfort zone. He will also use all situations to demonstrate his mighty work to people and the nations.
I challenge you today to believe in the mighty works of God and see how he is always moving, all around you everyday.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Judges 6-7
