(October 10, 2024) Brian Bell shares encouragely—

It was August 2024 when I last shared some thoughts about Deborah the prophetess who became a judge in Israel. By way of context, and to briefly refresh the background—

Following their entrance into the promised land the children of Israel began to take possession and subdue the occupants, but this proved difficult. In addition, the people of Israel also went through ongoing cycles of sinful disobedience to the Lord. Despite this when they cried out to God for help, He raised up a series of people to be their leaders who were known as judges of which Deborah was one.

The Lord spoke through Deborah and led His people in a resounding victory over their enemies. This miraculous military victory which the Lord enabled is captured for us in the words of the Song of Deborah which we can read in Judges 5.

A Book of Songs
If you are a scripture reader, then you will know that the Bible contains many ‘songs.’ Perhaps the most well-known and loved songs are those in the book of Psalms. The ‘Song of Songs’ attributed to Solomon is another of the most well-known ‘songs.’

However long before Deborah’s song, we also have a record of a song of deliverance— ‘Then Miriam the prophet(ess), Aaron’s sister took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance. And Miriam sang this song…’ (Exodus 15:20-21).

This song Miriam led was a response to the Red Sea victory God gave the Israelites over Pharaoh and his chariots. Now that seems to me like a good Pentecostal method of praise!

We may not experience the military situations reflected in the ‘Red Sea deliverance’ or the battle won under Deborah’s leading yet it is good practice for Christian believers to use song as a means to praise the Lord for the deliverance He accomplished for us in the vicarious death and glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

A Cause for Praise
Deborah’s song of deliverance relates specifically to the people of Israel and in summary it contains words of —

• Praise to the Lord.
• Commendation to some of the tribes.
• Rebuke to others.

The song also has spiritual lessons for Christian believers and our attitude in relation to spiritual warfare. I find them encouraging and challenging and I present them (without comment from me) in the order in which they arise in the verses of Judges 5 (NLT 1996). As you read them, ask the Lord to open your spirit to their truths.

• Praise due to the Lord (v3)
  ‘I will bless the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, I will lift up my song to the Lord. ’
• Power of the Lord (v4-5)
  ‘… the earth trembled… mountains quaked… Sinai shook in the presence of the Lord.’
• Uncertain walk (v 6)
  ‘… people avoided the main roads and travellers stayed on crooked side paths.’
• New ‘Gods’, no Blessing (v 8)
  ‘When Israel chose new gods war erupted at the city gates.’
• Not ready for battle (v8)
  ‘Yet not a shield or spear could be seen among forty thousand warriors in Israel.’
• Encouragement in the Lord (v11)
  ‘… the musicians… recount the righteous victories of the Lord… victories of His villagers.’
• Advancing on the Enemy (v13b)
  ‘The people of the Lord marched down against mighty warriors.’
• Committed People (v15a)
  ‘The princes of Issachar were with Deborah … rushing into the valley.’
• Indecisive Brothers (v15b-16)
  ‘But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision.’
• No Fellowship (v17a)
  ‘Gilead remained east of Jordan.’
• No Growth (v17b)
  ‘Dan, why did he stay home?’
• No Vision (v17c)
  ‘Asher sat unmoved at the seashore remaining in his harbours.’
• Courageous People (v18)
  ‘But Zebulun risked his life as did Naphtali on the battlefield.’
• Complacent People (v23)
  ‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed said the angel… because they did not come to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.’

A Daily Battle
Deborah’s song praises God for victory over a mighty enemy and a finished battle. But note— Paul reminds Christians that we are in an ongoing daily spiritual battle.

In Ephesians 6:11-12 he advised, ‘Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.’

He went on to encourage us to ensure we are wearing the full spiritual armour of God that enables to resist the devil and dark powers (v 13-18).

• The spiritual warfare which Paul speaks about is an ongoing battle!
• It will continue for Christian believers until the day we are called from this scene of time!
• During this daily spiritual battle, like all soldiers we may be wounded in spirit.
• The challenge is for me (perhaps you too) to take time to recover by God’s grace and to—
• Keep fighting using the armour and weapons God has made available!

I share below appropriate words from the song Another Soldier Down made popular by the American singing group The Isaacs —
We′re in a mighty conflict here
the army of the Lord
we must join forces standing tall
and lean upon His word
the enemy is now in view
and bravely circles round
then comes the cry from the battle field
‘Another soldier down.’

Go then with haste
stand by his side
and lend your strength once more.
Go bear him up with faith and prayer
until battle’s o′er
the fight before the victory
the cross before the crown
be ever watchful ere the cry
‘Another soldier down.’

We’ve set our minds on victory
advancing day by day
we’ve got our hopes our strategy
armed fortress on the way
and at the end there is a rest
an everlasting crown
all in the field no more will hear
‘Another soldier down.’

A Closing Prayer
Gracious Lord, You alone know our hearts and know the wounds which may have touched our spirits us as we seek to walk with you each day.

Perhaps some of us are weary in the daily struggle; some of us may be weak because of the impact of a specific sickness; some of us may be discouraged because we have been overtaken by sin.

Thank you that the Lord Jesus knows all about our struggles and even if there are times when we feel we may have failed you in some way in the daily battle of life, that our trust is not in our self-righteousness, but in trusting Jesus the perfect Saviour and His victory over sin and death. Amen.

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Brian Bell is a diaconate member, Christ Church (Congregational) Abbots Cross, Northern Ireland. Brian describes himself as ‘grateful for the privilege and opportunity given me to serve my Lord.’
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