«Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time» (Judges 4:4).
When you think about what it means to be a Christian woman, what words come to your mind? Wise, courteous, hard-working, good daughter/wife/mother, submissive. . . And strong? Do you consider that you need to be strong to be a true follower of Christ? In her article «Lisa Bevere on Why the Church Must Stop Undermining the Strength of Women,» the American writer comments, «For some reason, it seems that, in the Christian community, women are given the message that being strong is wrong. Strength is wrong. Being strong is being ambitious. Being strong is something Christian women are not. We are sweet and quiet.» This image of Christian femininity, however, is not truly biblical.
We tend to confuse the adjective «strong» with «aggressive» or «quarrelsome.» However, a muscular person can use their strength to protect us or to hurt us. Muscles are not the problem, but character is. As women, God calls us to be strong. He calls us to receive His strength of character to take our place and do our part. At work or wherever you may be, God tells you, «Be strong and of good courage!» (Joshua 1:9).
Merely two hundred years after Joshua led the children of Israel in taking possession of the Promised Land, the Israelites forgot the Lord and began worshiping Canaanite idols. In this context of idolatry and oppression, God called a woman to lead her people: Deborah. And God gave her a double mission: as a prophet and as a judge. In A Prophet Among You, T. Housel Jemison comments, «Deborah served in a prominent position, for men and women came from many parts of Israel to consult her about their problems and to obtain judgment. Her reputation was built not merely on the fact that she rendered good judgment—she was recognized by all as a prophet of the Lord.» I am absolutely convinced that Deborah could not have accomplished her mission without strength. Deborah sat under her palm tree to judge the people. When Israelites brought her their disagreements and quarrels, she solved them with justice, wisdom, and great strength of character.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the strength I need
to perform my work and to fulfill my calling.
In You, even when I feel weak, I am strong.
«In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall»
(Psalm 18:29, NLT).
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
