JUDGE DEBORAH
Today’s Reading: Judges 4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Church of Transfiguration is beautifully presented at the pinnacle of Mt. Tabor. Mt. Tabor is located in Lower Galilee, Israel, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 18 km west of the Sea of Galilee. It was the site of the Mt. Tabor battle between Barak, under the leadership of the Israelite judge Deborah, and the army of Jabin, commanded by Sisera, in the mid 14th century BC. It is believed by many Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Therefore, it is also known as the Mount of Transfiguration. Remember how Peter wanted to build three tabernacles up here? Some well-meaning people have built one for Peter (Matthew 17:1-8).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 4:4, 5b
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time…And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
God is an equal opportunity employer. His candidates for leadership included women as well as men. God chooses the person best suited for the task. Perhaps, because Israel’s judge was a woman, King Jabin, who was oppressing Israel, allowed her to continue in her role. She used her position of strength to recruit Barak, who in turn called up an army of 10,000 troops. Tomorrow’s reading tells us about the torrent of Kishon, the stream that runs across the valley between Mt. Tabor and the Carmel range of hills. Flood conditions bogged down the chariots of Sisera in the mud and Israel prevailed.
God had waited patiently until Israel called out to Him for deliverance before He would get involved. God does not necessarily bring trouble into our lives when we turn away from Him; it’s simply that if we abandon His presence and protection, and then try, in our own strength, to overcome our problems, we fail in our attempts at finding freedom. We, ourselves, have opened the door for the oppressor to triumph over us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I cry out to You daily for Your presence. You are most welcome to intervene in any way You choose in my life, my family, and in my community. You’ve created me in Your image, and that includes a free will. I yield my will to You so that I may do Your will. I pray this in the Name of the One who always did Your will, Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve often stopped along the highway at the base of Mt. Tabor where the village named after Judge Deborah is located (see the first picture below looking east down Mt. Tabor to the village of Deborah at Tabor’s base). The present road up Mt. Tabor is quite steep with many hairpin switchbacks. In 1978 there was an old very steep road up the side of the mountain. My son, David Reynold, who does the photography for the blog, had just turned 16. He had his beginners driver’s license but little experience. I let him drive the vintage, stick shift, under-powered Volkswagen van up to the top. My wife, Norma-Jean, will tell you that she prayed most fervently all the way up. I admit that it was scary. I know that she believes that the God of Deborah helped us greatly! Experience is a great teacher. I’m learning lots from the examples provided in the first books of the Bible. Read with me, if you have time, from 1 Corinthians 10:11-13. Just as Israel was tested, or tempted, by those who lived around them, so are we tested. But “God is faithful;” He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to handle, but will, with the temptation (testing), make a way of escape. I’ve had to learn, sometimes the hard way, that I must run from temptation. God provides the way of escape, but I must choose to escape into safety in Christ.
Yours for learning from the examples given here in Judges,
David
P.S. Ron was 14, sitting in the back of the van when his brother drove up Mt. Tabor. Click here for what Ron has learned about testing or temptation over the years.
View from next to the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor towards the East. Below you can see the town of Deborah, named after the judge in today’s Bible reading.
The view from Mt. Tabor to the South, showing the east end of the Jezreel Valley.
the photography is par excellence! appreciated Ron’s video clip, appreciate and thank God that Crossroads does not judge but listens and encourages everyone expecially on the prayer line! please pray the Holy Spirit will remove smoking from a friend! I will be celebrating 20 years this April 16th. THank you Lord!
P.S. I won 2 theatre tickets (local drama club) and I will be taking my neighbour at the end of February. I have been blessed with a wonderful neighbour and I was very excited Thank you Lord!
Congrats Sah and so kind of you to take your neighbour. Have a wonderful time.
I found your comments on God’s intervention very thought -provoking and I will be adopting the invitation to intervention in my prayers
PS to my earlier comment. I have been a Christian for many years and routinely ask for God’s intervention in specific situations, but your prayer with an open, blanket invitation to God to intervene in any way He pleases is very powerful and really struck me. I plan to adopt that at the beginning of every day. Also, just to encourage you David, although I don’t often comment I do start my day with your blog, and I am sure many others read faithfully but don’t comment. Thanks for this gift
Thank you for faithfully writing the blog each day. Every morning I learn insights that God uses to teach me and mould me.
The photos overlooking Mt. Tabor are splendid!! The message from scripture in Romans 4, which Ron discusses in the video, is captured in the feeling that is projected in the photos. There is an underlying filter or shade of darkness yet overall sense of freedom lifted by the light. Spectacular to paint!
Fighting with others comes from our own evil desires that are at war and battle within us (James 4:1), which we have to face and overcome. Resist the devil and he will flee from us (7). We overcome and resist by coming closer to God, which allows for Him to come closer to us (8). “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble” (6b). As we humble ourselves before You, Lord, we know that You will lift us up in honor (10). For by Your grace, we are!
Wishing all saints a most wonderful day! May all be healed and strengthened by His love! Amen!
2 Cor 12:9: My grace is sufficient for thee. Amen!
How Can I Keep From Singing (How Amazing is Your Love)
By Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQI5wxtH6OY
Thank you David and Ron
Lianne Hogg
Pastor David thank you for your prayer today, it was powerful to read it aloud. It has not been easy sometimes to submit ALL but reading this blog every day shows me I am on a The Right Path. Thank you fellow saints for your comments.
A few weeks ago I asked prayer for our grandson Benjamin who has a concussion. Could I ask you to pray as he just went back to school and is still suffering headaches. He loves Jesus and we keep trying to assure him, he will feel better soon. I appreciate your prayers. Blessings to all.
Being a single parent to three sons, I can relate to your story riding with Reynold as he drove through the curvy mountain road; having experienced those times with each of my sons through their teen years.
Thank you for the link to Ron’s message on temptation, very well presented.
I joined with your prayer this morning; to yield to His way in my life!
Although the temptations are present: The choices we make in life are our responsibility. The Lord has given us a “free will” to chose the way we should go. Let it be Your way Lord Jesus, I pray.
Catherine, my prayer for Benjamin is for total healing through Our Lord Jesus Christ the Great Healer. Lord Jesus you are able, nothing is impossible for you!!! I pray this for Benjamin, in Your Name, Jesus. Amen!
Thank you Irene and bless you for your prayer. Our God is Able!
Love the pics today Rev. Thank you et al.
Look what God to do for us:
I had never seen this and was blown away. A man suffering from multiple disabilities, a nephew of Camilla Parker Bowles, who was born 90 days prematurely. There are so many gifted people in this world, but this is breathtaking. Derek Paravicini… Musical Savant! Lesley Stahl profiles this British musical phenomenon, whose computer-like memory for music is matched by his creative abilities to play it in any style…
Yet, he doesn’t know his age, nor does he know how to hold up three fingers! Also, he is blind !
CLICK the link below, turn on your sound and be amazed…
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Ak2jxmhCH1M&feature=player_embedded
Totally awesome! What a truly gifted person of God’s creation!! Thanks for sharing, Lynda!
So welcome Beverlee. God bless.
Thank you so much! What an amazing man.
there are many people who are so disabled and yet they have such talents! Nick Vujicki (not spelled right) what a gifted man he is! I often wonder how many babies are aborted and they could have such talents, we will never know! I also have adopted the prayer of David Mainse today! It`s a BIG risk! Reminds me of a person who did quit smoking but life was still a mess! They had to quit alcohol, and drugs and get some serious counselling and they did after 11 years, the family was truly turned around and singing praises to God for everything that happened! We are all disabled and we all have a chemical imbalance because we are born with hormones! I love the Lord and I just got up but I trust God will turn my sleeping pattern around again! PRAIE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! sure do appreciate the music and all the blogs from other people posted! It`s very uplifiting! thank you to everyone!