Scripture:

Judges 5:31

31 “So may all your enemies perish, Lord!
    But may all who love you be like the sun
    when it rises in its strength.”

Then the land had peace forty years.

"Victory in Him"

When you read through the book of Judges, you see this hills and valleys story, where the people of God would turn from the Lord, and they would end up in captivity, then they would cry out and turn back to Him, and He would raise a deliverer up.   Today, ladies, this one's for you. In today's portion, God raised Deborah as a deliverer for Israel. She was a rare leader in Israel in a time when women could not even be considered a witness of legal matters. Deborah was a judge and a prophetess, and because of God's favor and her leadership, Israel experienced 40 years of peace. 

This story, however, is God breaking the cultural norms; in fact, He uses a woman, Jael, to defeat the King who oppressed Israel.   This story is a reminder not to let anyone convince you that you cannot be used by God, that there is not something in you that God can use. This story is a reminder that you can be used, you can make a difference, and your contribution could be the very thing that turns the tide.

The application today is just this: remember that Greatness is not defined by your sex, or your looks, your position, your power, or even your ability, but rather it is defined by the presence of God in your life and His great power at work in you, through you.  Seek Him, and He will provide the tools you need to accomplish the things He has planned for you and don't let anyone rob you of this truth.

Lord, I thank you for the great women you have placed in our lives, those who changed the climate of our times, who made a difference, who served you, who shone for you,  who changed the outcome, who left their indelible mark, Lord raise up our sons and our daughters to be these people, do great things through them, let them leave their mark, and let no one stop them, in Jesus' name, Amen!