“Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Judges 5:3 (NKJV)
Yesterday we saw how it is important to be aware of the workings of God in our lives. We saw it is easy to ignore many of the things that God does in our lives because they looked normal or like a product of luck or any other reason. But, we understand that God is at work. This is the foundation upon which Deborah writes her song, taking into account the things she had observed God do for Israel.
In the entire chapter she begins to highlight these things one after the other and praise God for them. Therefore, it is not enough to identify the goodness and the works of God in our lives. Are we grateful for them?
Deborah mentioned a lot of things she was grateful for in Israel. She began by going back in history to examine the works of God in the past, and how God raised her in a time when ‘village life’ ceased in Israel. She then walked through the deliverance God gave through the hands of herself, Barak Jael and the people of Israel to bring liberation to Israel.
What is this saying to us? That we need to take deep thoughts of the works of God in our lives and thank God for them. In fact, Deborah thanked God that she arose as a Judge and Prophetess. That would have been something people would have not thanked God for. I mean, why would you thank God that “You accepted His calling”? But Deborah did. Because she understands that it was still God working in us and through us to fulfill His own good will.
Therefore, be grateful for everything, take account of your life, your family and everything around you and be intentional to sing praises unto God like Deborah did. Our God truly is worthy of praise.
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you for opening my eyes to see that every good thing in my life is from you. Forgive me for the times I have taken your works for granted or dismissed them as ordinary. Just as Deborah looked back and remembered your faithfulness, I choose today to reflect on all that you have done for me, my family, and those around me.
Thank you for the battles you have fought on my behalf and the victories I did not even realize were won by your hand. Thank you for working through me, for calling me, and for using my life to fulfill your good will. I choose to be intentional about giving you praise for the big and small things, for the seen and unseen blessings. Help me to live each day with a grateful heart and a song of thanksgiving on my lips.
