DCLM Higher Everyday 6 October 2023 — A Wholly Available Woman
DCLM Higher Everyday 6 October 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A Wholly Available Woman
Topic: A Wholly Available Woman
Text: Judges 4:1-9
1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Key Verse: “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time” (Judges 4:4).
Message
Availability is a critical condition for God to use anyone. God uses youths that make themselves available. To be able to impact the society and be an agent of change, you must make yourself available to serve. Ability to perform a task in the church, school, community, or nation is not enough, availability to implement such a task is crucial. “Don’t just be able; always make sure you are available. Be present to make a change,” said Israel Ayivor
Deborah was a woman who was available for the use of God. When there seemed to be no one to rescue the children of Israel from oppression, Deborah was available for God’s use. She was a real change agent during her time. There are some lessons youths can draw from her life. (1) She was an all-round woman (2) She was busy yet made herself available for the battle (3) She did not see her gender as a weakness (4) She did not hesitate to take up challenges (5) She stood upright while the nation did evil in the sight of God.
Quote: Make yourself available to serve
Challenge: Ability without availability is useless.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, use me. I am available for your service.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
