April 7, 2025- Jael: Boldness in Battle

-

 Theme: Using courage and wisdom to defeat life’s enemy

Sarah Bevans
Shepherdess , CIC 
 George Town SDA.
Bible reference: Judges 5:24 ESV “Blessed above all women is Jael, the wife of Herber the Kenite; blessed shall she be among women in the tent.”

One of my favourite expression as I face life’s challenges is that “I don’t want to just hear about God’s miracles, I want to be a part of them.” This thought has been my mantra of life. In small things or big accomplishments I always look for the “big picture “moment. That moment when God just shows up and “nails it”.

In Judges 4:17-22, we find a seemingly ordinary woman, who plays a pivotal role in the story of Israel’s deliverance. Jael, the wife of Herber, encountered Sisera, the commander of the enemy army. Rather than being a passive bystander, she cleverly seized the moment of opportunity. When the mighty Sesera seeks refuge in her tent, Jael does not cower in fear. Instead, she boldly takes a stand, uses what she has in her hands, fulfilling God’s promise of deliverance for her people.

We read: “But Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand; and went softly unto him, and smote the peg into his temples, and he fell down dead.” (Judges 4:21, KJV)

What can we learn from this dramatic event?, how does God show up in this “big picture “ moment?

  1. Courage in the face of fear: we often think of boldness as taking up arms and standing in the battlefield. However, true courage can also be found in quiet, decisive actions that aligns with God’s purpose. Not out of self interest but in response to God’s divine call.
  2.  Using what you have in your hands: a glass of milk, a tent peg and a hammer, may not have seemed as the weapons for the task, but God delivered the enemy, in the hands of Jael, using what she had. Let us consider the battles we face, be it personal struggles, societal injustices or moral dilemmas. Like Jael, we must have the courage to act, the willingness to take a stand, and God will surely deliver us from our circumstances in the most amazing way, and using what he has already given us, His power ( 2Peters 1:3-4).
  3. Fulfilling God’s promise of deliverance: we are all called as daughters of God to be a part of his miracles, we collaborate in painting  “the big picture” when we seize every opportunity to take a stand and manifest God’s purpose in our lifestyle and daily actions. Jael was not a warrior; she was a tent dweller, a stay-at-home
    mom. This speaks volumes of how God can use anyone, regardless of their background or status, to fulfill His plans. Our God values willingness above qualification.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the powerful example of Jael and her boldness in face of fear. Help me to be courageous in my own battles, whether small of great. Grant me wisdom to recognize the opportunities to act with integrity and strength. Empower me through your spirit to step forward in faith and be a part of the miracles you are working, trusting that you equips me for the fight ahead. Amen.

Comments

  1. Anonymous7 April 2025 at 07:10

    Powerful indeed! Thank you for a very timely word.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 11: Help! I Am A Worrier.

-
Image
Help! I Am A Worrier. Author : Sharon Campbell-Danvers, Shepherdess, Educator Theme : Contentment in Christ. Finding peace and joy in God regardless of circumstances Peace of mind is a valuable commodity that cannot have a price tag placed on it. If worrying was a product, I would be rich.  Peace of mind is precious and closely aligned with our mental health and well-being. Truth be told, so many things seek to distract us from what is truly important and what gives us true peace. This is a struggle for me. I need a piece of peace! A big slice. Whopper version, supersized. Women are confronted with many issues that impact their peace of mind. The woman with the issue of blood was in a deep place for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34). Mary and Martha watched their brother die and wept (John 11:1-44). The woman at the well was searching for deeper meaning in her life without even knowing it until she came in contact with Jesus (John 4:1-26). Hannah was troubled at home and could find no ...
Read more

January 3: Trust the Plan

-
Image
Trust the Plan Theme : Trusting God's timing and purpose in your life. Author : Dr. Terry-Ann Robinson, Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11   I must admit I don't like waiting or uncertainty. I am one of those people who make a list for everything, and then I have a list to keep track of my list. I work very strictly with time, and I mentally take quite a few "chill pills" to control my emotions when things don't go according to plan. I have gotten better over the years, but my "chill pills" are still needed. For some time now, I have been asking God to show me His plan for my life. I want a glimpse of the plan. Instead of showing me the details of His plan, God responds with Jeremiah 29:11, saying He knows the plan.   But Lord, I want to know the plan too.   Why can't you just tell me the ...
Read more

March 16 Anxious but Anchored

-
Image
Carol Nyack Shepherdess Cayman Islands Conference of SDA Theme: Trusting God when anxiety creeps in . It was a cool February evening, and I was reaching the end of my rope in more ways than one. I was partially laid up with a broken ankle, having just shattered my beautiful flowerpot. At the same time, vacuuming, and then, minutes later, discovered that my unlocked car had been ransacked during the night. I glanced at my husband resting on the sofa. He remained unbothered by my recounting of events. I then contacted our older son. While on the phone, my husband calmly said, "Ask him to come take me to the hospital." There was no complaint of pain, no urgency in his voice—just a quiet request. At this point, I knew prayer was more important than questioning.  Our son arrived, and just as my husband turned to kiss me and leave, I grabbed him to pray. On the way to the hospital, things took a drastic do...
Read more