No Breakthrough Until I Arose

No Breakthrough Until I Arose

Judges 5:6-7

The nation of Israel cried to God when they were oppressed by foreign nations. God would raise a deliverer to rescue them. Before long, they would turn to other gods and forsake the living God. As a result, they were taken captive again. The passage at hand (Judges 5:6-7) records a time when the children of Israel were oppressed (Judges 4:3) by Jabin king of Canaan.  They desired, cried and waited for deliverance. They were timid and afraid.  BUT it was not until Deborah a prophetess and judge over Israel arose. She highlights to us the importance of doing something to possess victory.  In her song of praise, she makes it clear that things had been bad, village life disrupted until she arose. If she had not arisen, things would have remained the same. When God’s people arise, things cannot remain the same. As long as God’s people do not arise, evil will prevail. What is it that follows your life or family line? Is it sin, witchcraft, poverty, misfortune, etc? Unless you arise in Jesus’ name to say enough is enough curses will prevail.  Time to arise for our families, our church and ourselves has come. 

What made Deborah, a woman to arise where everyone else was in hiding?  Deborah had a revelation (Greek: “lifting of the veil”) of what God had done and was doing for Israel. ‘That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.’ Revelation comes from asking (Ephesians 1:17), from a heart full of God’s word (Romans 10:17) and from prayerfulness. Effective prayer must leave behind a divine revelation. We have come out of a season of prayer and believe that this is our time to bring in the harvest. We are arising to do the work of evangelism. Everyone has a part to play. Paul said to Timothy ‘Do the work of an evangelist in season and out of season and make full proof of your Ministry’ (2 Timothy 4:5). Last week we saw the importance of sharing Christ its now time to act. The children of Israel would have never known what marvelous victory God had given them if they had not taken action.

Jabin the oppressor came against a nation with no army to talk about. He came armed with 900 chariots of iron. Some nations even tried to come to his aid. The Israelites were weakened physically, materially, and psychologically after 20 years of oppression. On their side, was God and faith in Him. God found means, readiness and faith from options that were least expected to deliver victory. He used women. Mighty man such as Barak refused to go to battle unless accompanied by Deborah (Judges 4:8, 9). The commander of Jabin’s army Sisera was killed by a woman, Jael, who used courage, milk and a tent peg to seal victory for Israel (Judges 4:18-2; 5:25, 26). Where there is faith, God will use ordinary things, people and instruments to accomplish his purpose. In her song, Deborah notes how God used the stars and the river to fight (Judges 5:20-21). Everything is at God’s disposal for use to our benefit when we arise.

Those who did not participate when Deborah arose missed a great opportunity to be a part of something big God accomplished.  The people of Issachar, Ephraim, Zebulun and Naphthali were committed to the full and put their lives at risk (Judges 5:18). Those of Gilead, Asher and Dan remained in ships and stayed at the seashore. The people of Reuben were undecided and hesitant.  They remained among campfires and the sheepfolds (Judges 5: 16). The people of Meroz out rightly refused (Judges 5:23). However, victory was accomplished by the willing. God moves with the movers. Lets all be a part of God’s army for the season.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa