Judges 4:12-16 – Be sure the Lord is onboard

Nothing should intimidate us when we have the Lord on our side. No matter how strong our opposition may be, they are no match for the Lord God who will fight on His people’s behalf. This is what we can see from the battle fought between Barak of Israel and Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army. Barak only had the word of the Lord, 10,000 men, and the help of the prophetic direction given by Deborah. Whereas Sisera had heavy military machinery. He had 900 iron chariots. The odd was stacked against Barak and the Israelites. What chance had the power of man, no matter how many, could stand against the might of iron chariots?

However, the right question to ask should be: what chance has 900 iron chariots have against an ordinary army whose God fights for them? So, with the Lord’s help, the army of Sisera was routed until he had to flee on foot. When the Lord is on our side, we form the majority. In any battle, we must learn not to be intimidated by the might of what is opposing us. We must learn to look up and look to the Lord who fights for us. This being said, we also need to consider the timing and the direction given by the Lord. Barak had the advantage of having Deborah with him, she is the prophetic voice he needed to listen to. When she said “Arise! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the Lord has gone out before you." Imagine if Barak chose not to take action, victory would not be secured. But he did. He heard the prophetic direction, he knew that the moment had come, he and his men then went forward into the battle. Every one of Sisera’s men was obliterated, none was left standing from that onslaught. This also meant that the iron chariots were either captured or destroyed.  

Three things we must remember in any battle we are engaged in. We need the Lord on our side. Or better still always be on the Lord’s side. Secondly, timing is important. We should not rush hastily into a situation without weighing it carefully. Thirdly, we certainly need to know what’s the Lord’s direction. When we know the timing and have His approval and direction, we know that we are on the right course. Then take action!