One of my most favorite verses and one I belief has shown its work in my life continuously is the notorious Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." But some days, just some days I just wish I was brave. Like, REALLY BRAVE! I'm just a normal woman (yet some would lift an eyebrow at the normal part...) A Mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I stand up for what I believe in and try to live my life according to the Word of God (even though I fail miserably at times).
As this week ticked a long, I constantly came across the word "brave" and as I was praying about this weeks blog, I came across this verse: 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong". Four commands. Very specific commands actually, and the words BE BRAVE just jumped out echoing what I'm feeling in my spirit. I immediately asked the question: "Am I as brave as God needs me to be?"
It's not always easy to brave. We face situations and circumstances in our lives which we don't always feel like facing, not wanting to be brave to stand and face the giants, let alone fight through our daily existence. So yes, some days, just some days I just wish I was brave. Like the judge Deborah. Though there is not a lot of information about this female judge (Judges 4&5), but I believe she is one of the bravest women in Christian history. We get to know her as a judge, who spoke truth and whom carried a load of wisdom. What I truly admire about her is not the battles she fought, but though she was the judge and a warrior for Israel, she had a "me space" underneath a tree between two towns in the hill country of Ephraim. (Judges 4:5) I like to imagine she was having some "me time" alone with God, not counting on her own bravery but needing His.
Regardless of her wisdom as a judge (I'm pretty sure Judge Judy had nothing on this lady), it took an extra surge of bravery to call out Barak and instruct him to gather 10,000 tribes men to defeat the enemy. As if that were not brave enough, Barak requests more of her brave heart. He says: "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go" Judges 4:8. This statement from Barak really makes me wish that I could have met Deborah. I wonder what her spirit was like and how she carried herself when she walked. It’s clear that Deborah loved God and she found favor in his sight and in the sight of fellow leaders. The light shines on her bravery when she warns Barak: "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" Deborah went to battle and the victory was the Lords as she prophesied. Due to her brave leadership, the Bible gives the result of her courage: "And the land had rest for forty years" Judges 5:31
Do I wish I was as brave as Deborah at times, you bet! But I have also learned from the word brave, that it does not always mean I have to fight the battles myself. It takes bravery to turn to God and say: "I can't do this Father, please help me!" It takes bravery to stay on our knees when we want to jump up and fight. We need to watch, stand fast in faith, be brave and strong! We need to seek our bravery with God. Let our spirit connect with Him and just... be brave!
Shalom shalom,
Iriza
It's not always easy to brave. We face situations and circumstances in our lives which we don't always feel like facing, not wanting to be brave to stand and face the giants, let alone fight through our daily existence. So yes, some days, just some days I just wish I was brave. Like the judge Deborah. Though there is not a lot of information about this female judge (Judges 4&5), but I believe she is one of the bravest women in Christian history. We get to know her as a judge, who spoke truth and whom carried a load of wisdom. What I truly admire about her is not the battles she fought, but though she was the judge and a warrior for Israel, she had a "me space" underneath a tree between two towns in the hill country of Ephraim. (Judges 4:5) I like to imagine she was having some "me time" alone with God, not counting on her own bravery but needing His.
Regardless of her wisdom as a judge (I'm pretty sure Judge Judy had nothing on this lady), it took an extra surge of bravery to call out Barak and instruct him to gather 10,000 tribes men to defeat the enemy. As if that were not brave enough, Barak requests more of her brave heart. He says: "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go" Judges 4:8. This statement from Barak really makes me wish that I could have met Deborah. I wonder what her spirit was like and how she carried herself when she walked. It’s clear that Deborah loved God and she found favor in his sight and in the sight of fellow leaders. The light shines on her bravery when she warns Barak: "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" Deborah went to battle and the victory was the Lords as she prophesied. Due to her brave leadership, the Bible gives the result of her courage: "And the land had rest for forty years" Judges 5:31
Do I wish I was as brave as Deborah at times, you bet! But I have also learned from the word brave, that it does not always mean I have to fight the battles myself. It takes bravery to turn to God and say: "I can't do this Father, please help me!" It takes bravery to stay on our knees when we want to jump up and fight. We need to watch, stand fast in faith, be brave and strong! We need to seek our bravery with God. Let our spirit connect with Him and just... be brave!
Shalom shalom,
Iriza