Ordinary Time

Pause

Safety. Comfort. Guidance. Acceptance. Determination.

These are some of the words that come to mind when we think about our mothers. But words often fail us in describing what makes someone so very intent when it comes to taking care of their own.

God is like this, caring for all of us in ways that cannot be fully described. Find yourself now in the heart of your determined God.

Listen

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.' " Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." And she said, "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." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Judges 4:4–9

Think

Deborah was a judge who offered her counsel and wisdom when there was disagreement. Her story, one of the oldest recorded in the Old Testament, describes her as a wife and a prophet. There is no mention that Deborah had children of her own, but I know she was a mother.

When no one else could lead them into battle after twenty years of oppression, Deborah led an army of ten thousand to victory. Deborah may not have had biological children, but I know she was a mother.

Sometimes I am guilty of deciding things about people based only on what my eyes can see. But God knows our hearts and can give us courage to accomplish things others might not expect or imagine! Deborah knew that the children of Israel were oppressed by an evil man, and she believed that God was the source of the children’s strength. Deborah was a mother who led her children to freedom.

Colleen Burroughs

Pray

God, today I pray for all children who are oppressed.  Some are far away from home today and others feel very alone inside their own houses. Thank you that you love each of your children, and that you can help me live courageously. Give me eyes to see who I can help live more freely today. Amen.

Go

Whether far from home or near to those you love most, the Creator who has given you life is close at hand.

With a steady, guiding hand and an eternal determination of will, God is seeking your deliverance.