Deborah: A Woman of Confident Courage
What has God recently told you to do? Is it a plan for spiritual victory? Is it a way to help a friend or family member? Does it involve a change in location or job? Trust Him. He knows what He is doing. Have confidence in God’s wisdom, power, and love that His plan is the one to follow. Deborah did.
In a time when her people desperately needed deliverance from their enemies, Deborah the prophetess heard from God. His plan was for Barak, an Israelite leader, to gather ten thousand men to fight the enemy army, a formidable army that boasted 900 chariots of iron, the army of the nation that had oppressed Israel for 20 years. But God’s plan hinged on Barak and his men facing the enemy and its commander, Sisera.
Barak didn’t want to. Not on his own at least. He asked Deborah to go with him because she was known for speaking for God. Otherwise, he wouldn’t go and fight.
So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” (Judges 4:9 NKJV)
Deborah was confident of God’s promise of victory, but Barak wasn’t. He should have believed the message that Deborah received from God, but instead, he wanted more. He insisted that she accompany him to the battle as an assurance that they could win, that God was in this.
So Deborah agreed to go with him, and Barak gathered men to fight the enemy. God kept His promise, and helped Israel overthrow the enemy’s entire army. Not one enemy soldier escaped alive (Judges 4:16). Even Sisera, who ran from the battle, was killed later in a tent by a woman he trusted (Judges 4:17-22).
Hearing from God should build within us a confident courage. Because we know that God is good and He does good, we should have the utmost confidence in His promises. We can trust Him that His plan will result in victory. God’s wisdom is perfect, leading us to do exactly what is right for our lives. His power is mighty, enabling us to serve Him when we feel inadequate or afraid. His love is powerful, satisfying our hearts and motivating us to tell others about Him. If God tells us His will for our lives and gives us a plan for victory, let’s have confident courage like Deborah and follow His plan. Let’s encourage others who are a part of the plan to trust Him too. Since God is the One who goes with you to do His will, you may see Him do things that only He can do.
Barak hesitated to carry out God’s plan. He didn’t have enough faith to go to battle without Deborah. How can we overcome obstacles to trusting God, and walk in confident courage? Share your thoughts below, and remember to stay close to God so you can hear Him and act on what He tells you.
This post is adapted from Day 18 in Katy’s Bible study titled Faith, Courage, and Victory, a study of 24 characters of the Bible and their stories, struggles, and triumphs.
Katy Kauffman is a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and has two published Bible studies for women, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory and Faith, Courage, and Victory. Her heart’s desire is for people to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. Katy is also an editor and the designer of Refresh Bible Study Magazine. You can connect with her at her blog, Life with God, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
10 comments
Deborah was a VERY strong and powerful woman for God INDEED!
Yes, she was! I love her example of strength and faith. Thanks for your comment!
What a great challenge to live bold faith! Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
You’re welcome, Kelly, and thank you for commenting. God definitely helps us to see what bold faith looks like through stories like this in His Word. Take care!
Deborah is one of my favorite women of the Bible! She was asked to step up to lead when there were no righteous men to lead, she trusted Him beyond measure. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad to hear you love Deborah, too. To have her kind of faith is something I want!
To have that confident courage! It all comes down to unbelief and complete faith in God. I am praying Lord, help my unbelief! I am praising God He is answering that prayer! Thank you for sharing!
I think of that verse from the Gospels too – “Lord, help my unbelief.” Thank you for sharing that, and I pray God strengthens your faith and courage more and more!
Deborah is a great example of one who knows God so well that her confidence is unwavering. Great post. Thanks.
Connie, I love how you phrased that! Thank you for that and for the rest of your comment.
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