February 8th - Reflection

Reading
Judges 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Deborah the judge sings God's praise

Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:
"When locks are long in Israel,
when the people offer themselves willingly --
bless the Lord!

"Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;
to the Lord I will sing,
I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

"Lord, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the region of Edom,
the earth trembled,
and the heavens poured,
the clouds indeed poured water.
The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
before the Lord, the God of Israel.

"In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, caravans ceased
and travelers kept to the byways.
The peasantry prospered in Israel,
they grew fat on plunder,
because you arose, Deborah,
arose as a mother in Israel.
When new gods were chosen,
then war was in the gates.
Was shield or spear to be seen
among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel
who offered themselves willingly among the people.
Bless the Lord.

"Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys,
you who sit on rich carpets
and you who walk by the way.
To the sound of musicians at the watering places,
there they repeat the triumphs of the Lord,
the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel.

"Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.

Reflection
There is a day when the poor, the sick, the downtrodden and the needy will rejoice. For they have a Savior. God saves his people. God loves his people and comes to their defense. God cares for the peasantry in Israel and brings them triumph.

One day these people of God, who willingly offer themselves to God, will sing praises to there God and King and Savior. And I want to be one of them that march down to the gates with the people of the Lord.

Prayer
Lord, may I be bold enough to march with your people. March by their side and celebrate in common with those who willingly offer themselves to you. March and sing and rejoice, for you have won the battle. Thanks be to God! --- Amen