Get a Hammer

 

Hello Fellow Travellers!  

Isn’t it wonderful that we’ve had another week to walk with the Lord thru all the adventures of the journey.  I will say for us, it was a quiet week, although I confess we did have a lot of little ‘catching up’ jobs to do, especially after the big family weekend. But all in all, we were left on Sunday night with smiles on our faces, glowing in the fact that our grandchildren are walking with the Lord, remembering the good food, the great family and the reminders that we are SOOOO blessed.

Close to home, I got news of a drama going on in a little Christian Camp in Colorado that my sister and I enjoyed going to every summer.  It’s called “I’d-ra-ha-je” which I think, is  supposed is to resemble a Native American name, but is actually short for the lovely hymn written in the 20’s and which I remember well in the 50’s, “I’d Rather Have Jesus”. 

I'drahaje was a focal event in my childhood. There was always something going on, Summer and Winter, and as long as my parents could afford to send me, I’d be there. We did hikes, made ridiculous crafts involving beans, sticks and macaroni,  competed with the other cabins for the “Tidiest” awards …… you name it.  Lots of food, campfires and singing.  On Thursday night, before we left Friday, you were more or less encouraged to ‘Accept Christ’, no matter how many summers you’d been there before.  I must say, I was right there with everyone, wanting to “Have Jesus” more and more.

So now, would you believe it, after 77 years, they are facing being shut down because they refuse to build co-ed bathrooms!  If you google it, you’ll see that there is a lawsuit in place at the moment for “Religious rights”. Prayers appreciated.

Of course while this is going on in our backyard, our thoughts turn to Israel and the Middle East.  So many emotions we feel!  But as we think/pray and wonder about the Hand of God in that situation, let me mention an interesting little story found in the book of Judges.  I guess I could call this, “Don’t think you can’t make a difference”.

You can find the story in the Book of Judges.  

Jael was a woman from the tribe of the Kenites, who were Canaanites (bad guys if you were living in Israel back then).  She had just moved, with her husband Heber, to a place called Kedish, near the oak tree at Zananim.  (I'm not making this up).

Israel was being humbugged, as it so often is, by Jabin, king of Canaan who was in Hazor.  His commander of the army, a guy named Sisera was based nearby and had over 900 chariots fitted with iron.  It says in Chapter 34 vs 3 that "He had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years (when) they called to the Lord for help).  

It's quite an interesting chapter, featuring Deborah, a female prophet and current leader of Israel, who agrees to go with the army to 'deal' with this pestilence, but only after Barak and his army of 10,000 men, beg her to go with them.  She then announces that yes, she'll be going with them, but adds that “the battle will be determined by a woman.”

Deborah didn't mention that it might even be a Canaanite woman……

One day, this Sisera guy, the leader of the Canaanite army,  had had a rough day on the battlefield and believed that he had found safe refuge with Heber’s family. 

Oh boy, was he wrong.

  He stopped at the tent of Heber (who he thought was an ally), went inside and relaxed.  He was exhausted, after all, so he was warmly welcomed by Jael.  There she gave him milk to drink and a soft spot to take a nap.  He needed this after the chase he'd been involved in. I just  mentioned that he was the commander of Jabin's entire army of 900 iron chariots and who knows how many men?  

And most of you reading this will know, there used to be a well-known newsman by the name of Paul Harvey. At the end of each program, he would share something interesting, then finish with, “And now, THE REST of the Story".

While Sisera was peacefully sleeping off the goat’s milk, Lil’ ole’ Sweet Jael, for reasons that are not entirely clear, took a tent spike and hammered it thru his temples right into the floor!

Wow.

We may say we don't have a 'purpose' and I might say that Jael felt the same way ........ until she changed the course of history.

I'm not suggesting you nail anyone to the floor (even if that may sound tempting) but let's all be 'open' to the Spirit's leading.  and be BRAVE enough to act when needed.

Who knows what ‘challenges’ you might meet this week? Who knows? You might have to make a decision, then stand up for it and do the right thing. Would love to hear your stories.

Stay warm!  Oh, sorry, we’re the only ones Down Under here in the midst of a tropical winter which IS chilly!

Marsha