Tuesday January 9, 2007

Text for the Day -- Judges 5:12-15
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"Awake, awake, Deborah!
Awake, awake, utter a song!
Arise, Barak, lead away your captives,
O son of Abinoam.
Then down marched the remnant of the noble;
the people of the LORD marched down for him against the
mighty.
From Ephraim they set out into the valley,
following you, Benjamin, with your kin;
from Machir marched down the commanders,
and from Zebulun those who bear the marshal's staff;
the chiefs of Issachar came with Deborah,
and Issachar faithful to Barak;
into the valley they rushed out at his heels.
Among the clans of Reuben
there were great searchings of heart."

Devotional
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This text is part of a great hymn to the prophetess and judge,
Deborah. She had achieved a great victory over the king of Canaan who
had been oppressing the people of Israel. Throughout this period of
the judges, God called forth leaders, as there was a need, to protect
and judge over the people. There was no king in Israel at this time.
God, in this case, chose a woman to be the leader and judge, a leader
of faith and strength.

Prayer
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Help me to be aware of your call to leadership when it is needed,
gracious God. Amen