Victory In The Lord Is Ours

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you. Judges 4:14

After Joshua’s godly influence faded, the Israelites experienced some very rough times. For about 450 years, they fell in and out of the hands of their enemies.

Why? Because they habitually sinned against God. Their cycle of rejecting the Lord seemed to occur with each new generation.

So, the Lord raised up different judges at different times to deliver them from their oppressors. A verse similar to the following one appears seven times throughout the Book of Judges.

Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They abandoned the Lord and no longer served him at all. Judges 10:6

Chapter four also begins with a similar verse. This time, God turned Israel over to a Canaanite king called Jabin, who had an army commanded by Sisera. But He also raised up Deborah.

Click on the graphic to download your free eBook

Before we move on, I believe we should point out something unique about Deborah. Out of all the judges of Israel, she was the only female judge, plus she was also a prophet.

God is no respecter of gender when it comes to calling people into the ministry. He used women in the Old Testament and uses them even more today to help build His Kingdom.

Deborah’s Prophetic Word For Barak

The Israelites regularly went to Deborah for her judgment on matters. One day, however, God gave her a prophetic word for a man named Barak, so she sent for him.

She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” Judges 4:6-7

We don’t know how many troops made up the army Sisera led, but we know two distinct things about them. They had 900 iron chariots, and they ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites.

I’m not sure if Barak didn’t completely believe Deborah or if he didn’t want to do what she said. But he responded by saying that he would only do as she said if she accompanied him.

Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the victory of the Lord over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. Judges 4:9

Evidently, Jabin’s army had a good intelligence department because word got to Sisera about Barak’s plans. Therefore, in a counter-offensive, he took the necessary action.

When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, he called for all 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River. Judges 4:12-13

The Enemy Can’t Stop Victory Our from the Lord

Take to heart what happened next in this Biblical event. Notice that the enemy knew exactly what the Israelites had planned to do. In fact, Sisera felt he had the upper hand.

We don’t know whether Barak was made aware of Sisera’s plans or not. Either way, Deborah had another word from the Lord that assured them of their victory.

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. Judges 4:14

Think about the 900 heavy-iron chariots Barak faced and the damage they alone could have done. They could have devastated Barak’s army if each one had run over ten of his men.

That, though, doesn’t even take into consideration Sisera’s fighting foot soldiers. The text in this chapter says he marched all his warriors to the battlefield.

We often experience defeat because of our oppressor’s intimidation. We either turn and run, or we give in to defeat. How often do we give up the victory instead of trusting the Lord?

Remember this story of Deborah and Barak when the enemy of your soul seems overwhelming. Even if he knows your plans, fear not because the Lord holds your victory in His hand.

Satan knew God’s plan of salvation through the Old Testament scriptures but couldn’t stop it. Fully aware of God’s plans, the devil knows his future. Yet he has no way of stopping Him.

What Can the Enemy Do?

Satan can’t stop the Lord, but he can try to distract you and rob you from your victory. When the Lord spoke victory through Deborah that day, that message continues until He returns.

It comes down to whether you trust God. I find myself at times wanting to take my own measures. But I experience victory from the Lord when I follow the advice the Psalmist gave.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

Let’s look at the last part of this story of Deborah and Barak. It has nothing to do with either one of them. But it does add to the victory promised by the Lord.

Sisera jumped off his chariot and ran while Barak chased and killed all his warriors. He ended up at a tent belonging to Heber the Kenite and his wife, Jael, who were both friends of King Jabin.

Victory Can Come from the Lord in an Unexpected Way

Even with Heber not home, Sisera felt safe hiding in their tent. After drinking some milk, he fell into a deep sleep. At that point, Jael took matters into her own hands.

But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died. Judges 4:21

Why is this part of the story important? Because no one knew how the Lord would bring this victory except Him. The Lord may also provide your victory most unexpectedly.

Lord, help us trust you for victory in every battle we face. No matter how intimidating the enemy appears, may we stand still and wait for you.

Check out these related posts on the Victory of God.