When Others Say You Can’t

We praise you, LORD! Our soldiers volunteered, ready to follow you.

Judges 5:2 (CEV)

Not spiritual enough, smart enough, strong enough. Not an adult, not wealthy. Wrong gender. Wrong personality. Wrong status. Just … not enough.

All of us come to obstacles in our lives that make us question ourselves. We find some excuse—or all kinds of excuses—for why we cannot succeed. Then we even get mad at God for making us this way. But what if God made you like this on purpose? What if the thing you think is a weakness is an opportunity for God to work?

Deborah faced an impossible challenge. Her people faced an army that far outmatched them. The Canaanites had 900 iron chariots, the tanks of the day. For 20 years her people had been oppressed, living in fear of attack. What could a woman do in those times? She listened to God. And she volunteered, with nothing held back.

God told her it was time to fight, that he would help them defeat the enemy. Deborah told Barak, the commander, to gather the army. But he refused to go into battle without her. So she agreed. She trusted the Lord and went to war. And God gave them success. Deborah and Barak sang the victory chant, telling everyone how God won.

What obstacle are you facing? Can’t see how God can help you conquer? Volunteer. Sign over your life to him, with no holds. Then watch him use you.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

That battle you are facing? Imagine for a minute how it will feel to conquer it. Now write a victory chant giving God the glory. Check out Judges 5 if you need some ideas.

INSPIRATION

“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”

—William Carey, a missionary from England in the early 1800s

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Refer to the tabbed Bible references to read the passages today.

Isaiah 40:29–31

Isaiah 64:8

2 Corinthians 12:9

Philippians 4:13

________________________________

This devotional was written by Tonia Gutting for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.