Time To Get Up!

“Get Up!  Get Up, Deborah!

 Get Up!  Get Up and create a song!”  (Judges 5:12  God’s Word ©)

The Old Testament book of Judges chronicles the ups and downs of the Children of Israel following the conquest of the land of Canaan and the death of their leader Joshua.  In chapter four we find that the Israelites have once again done what was considered evil in the sight of the Lord and were defeated and taken captive by King Jabin who ruled at Hazor.  “King Jabin had 900 chariots made of iron and had cruelly oppressed Israel for 20 years.”  (Judges 4:3  God’s Word ©)  When the people finally cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up Deborah the prophetess as their judge and leader.

Deborah called for a man named Barak to gather the tribes to fight against King Jabin’s army.  God gave the Israelites under Deborah’s and Barak’s leadership a great victory and they totally destroyed the enemy.  At the end of that day they sang the song of praise that is recorded in Judges chapter five. 

The story goes that the people of Israel arose the morning of the battle knowing that they needed Deborah and Barak to be greatly encouraged so as to rally the troops and be able to lead them to victory.  Their words were captured in verse 12 where they awoke Deborah shouting out: “Get Up! Get Up, and sing us a victory song!”  (Judges 5:12 paraphrased) 

The people understood the power behind an anointed song, and they knew that they needed all the help that they could get in order to defeat the seasoned troops of their oppressor.

How would you react if your early morning slumber was disturbed by your family, or by your co-workers, or by your neighbors as they shouted out to you to get up and create and then sing an encouraging song for them when they were feeling down?  What would your first thoughts be?  What would your lyrics be?  Would your first line be something that you would really want the people to repeat?

2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.”  (NKJV)  I guess the question at this point would simply be: “Are you ready?”  I know that it may sound a little unfair, but it is the lifestyle that I believe we are called to live.  We are to be a living, breathing song that brings encouragement to the downtrodden, that brings peace to the restless, and comfort to the bereaved.  I think that I have spent as much if not more time encouraging those around me in the face of my wife’s battle and with the home going of my Mom as I have in seeking encouragement for myself!

Therefore I would encourage you today, to pull out your pitch pipe, play a note and see how in tune you are!  Have a great day.  Keep in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What SONG am I expecting to SING today?”