Confirmation is Not Questioning

Scripture: And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!" Judges 4:8

Observation: The king of Canaan is oppressing the Jews, and Deborah is now their judge. Clearly, a man named Barak has been called to go oppose the Canaanite army - Barak and Deborah both know it - and because he has not gone out Deborah summons Barak and clarifies the order. She tells him that it is confirmed he has been called to take 10,000 men, confront the Canaanite army, and the Lord will deliver them. And this is Barak's answer ... he'll only go if Deborah goes.

This is not an act of honor, deferring to the leader of the nation in the glory of a coming battle. This is instead the words of a man unsure of God's call on his life. He is not confident the Lord will be with him and deliver him in battle, and therefore wants Deborah to go either a) he is certain the Lord will protect her and therefore her presence will in turn protect him, or b) he is uncertain of the word of God as well and is testing Deborah to see if she believes it to the point of risking her own life. Of course Deborah goes, Barak wins, but honor is given to a humble woman in a tent who kills the Canaanite general.

There is a big difference between Barak choosing to confirm the message he has received from God, and doubting the message of God. Deborah's first words to Barak is the fact that he has, in fact, been told by God how to act. He therefore knows that, but has not gone. Perhaps he doubts that he received the message at all. However, Deborah now confirms the word of God, and his next action crosses the line from doubting the message of God, to doubting the will of God. Barak isn't punished for this, just not honored for eventually complying.

Application: I see in this a significant difference between understanding if I have heard instruction from God, and doubting if I should act upon those instructions. The former is ... normal. Even the best people doubt if they received a message. We are even taught ways to try to confirm God's word, by reading the bible, talking to other believers, looking for signs, and other ways that a word can be reinforced.

In addition, the latter issue - withholding action - is also ... normal. Barak shows me, however, that this is a point on which God is less lenient. God expect us to trust. He does know he has to remind us (over and over) to not be afraid, and to trust in him. He doesn't necessarily punish for our desire to set conditions on our action, but he may withhold blessing due to that lack of faith.

I wonder if there is a situation in which I am being told to act, and which I am withholding action as opposed to awaiting confirmation. I don't feel like there is, but there has been in the past.

I will seek the word of the Lord. I will confirm that word, but I will then act on that word without imposing my own conditions and will. Yes, I want the Lord's blessings in my life.

Prayer: Lord, as I have been saying, I do not wish to walk through this current situation. It is becoming a mental hardship, and I find I am no longer so invincible in these matters. But I know you strengthen me. May I seek your words, and when they come may I have the faith to act as you would guide me, of your will and plan, and not my own. Amen.