Once again, this is based on a lesson for Sunday morning. I am skipping around hoping to find some value. Also, I decided to take the Random name back to random topics and name these lessons as a standalone series of “For the Boys”. Random, X, XIII, and XIV, were for the boys, so that makes this one IV.

“What do you fear?” It is a traditional question with any number of purposes. I used it to gain attention.

My second question was “Why does God let us fear?” While not really expecting a response, the intent was to remind us that without God we are nothing.

“Can God save us from what we fear?” The obvious answer is that of course He can.

Since the lesson was for tenth grade boys, the next question was: “Do you expect God to use a little old lady to save you from your fears?”

The lesson was based on Judges chapter 4 and 5 and uses Deborah as an example of God using the unexpected to glorify Himself. Even beyond the expectation of tenth grade boys in 2021 America, the concept of a woman leading the Jewish nation between Moses and David is seemingly out of step.

I actually read the passage this morning as a part of my chapter a day plan. The lesson was a few weeks ago, so it is probably good for this to wrap up today. On of the first source questions was “How do we tend to limit our obedience to God?” While “In every way imaginable” is probably an appropriate response, the goal was to get us to think of how we like Barak had continued to ask for signs well after we knew what God wanted. I need to maintain a toilet, but I keep putting it off. Just one small example. I want to follow His will, but often I find it hard to find enough want to.

Judges Chapter 5 is a song praising God for His work in Chapter 4. The example to learn from is Deborah following God no matter what, and what not to do from Barak who “led” the army. The story is pretty adamant that God uses the woman Deborah to get the general to do his thing and then uses another woman to kill a king. The point of the lesson is that God equips His people with gifts to be used for His glory and their good.

When has God used the unexpected to work in your life? Was it an angel shining with a fiery sword? Do you trust God to care for you? Are you faithful to His call? Life is supposed to be hard so that we cannot rely on ourselves but must rely on God and the unexpected ways He works in our lives.

Note that Deborah was both a judge and a prophet. The only other judge who was also a prophet? Samuel. Deborah was a big deal. Deborah had faith in God, and it is faith that saves us through Christ.

Her story is in the Bible to help us understand that man or woman, we are all called individually to come to Christ. Her story was shared, just as our stories are to be shared. I never pictured Deborah as a little old lady, but she probably was little and she probably lived to be old. Young men do not typically see little old ladies as a source of overcoming fear, but He did for Barak, and He will for us when needed.