The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

A BRIEF RAY OF HOPE

The story of Deborah and Barak provides a brief respite in an otherwise depressing decline of the nation of Israel. Their faithfulness is seen in their willingness to hear the Lord and obey his commands. Their responsiveness to God stands in stark contrast to the stiff-necked rebellion and hardheartedness demonstrated by God’s people throughout most of the remainder of the book.

These glimmers of hope are short-lived throughout the Old Testament. The brief faithfulness of certain individuals or leaders was rapidly followed by the onslaught of rebellion and sin. This pattern continued until the time of Christ. Jesus obeyed where all others fell, not just once, but through the entirety of his life. Peter wrote that Jesus never sinned, completely obeying the law of God down to the very last detail (1Pe 2:22). This perfect righteousness demonstrated that he is the Son of God who was given as a gift to those who place their faith in his work on the cross. Those who are in Christ can look forward to a coming day when a permanent break from sin will take place and the earth itself will be forever purified from the impediments of sin.

Jesus, help me to faithfully obey you like Deborah and Barak did. I want to live righteously and courageously, even when the world around me seems to be falling apart. Amen.