A time to follow God

All of us have role models. 

For some of us, it’s our mom or dad.  For others, it was a teacher or grandparent. 

As we’re growing up, they’re vital in our development.  They help shape us.  They help us grow.

But there comes a time when we have to take our eyes off of those role models and turn them to God. 

All other role models are imperfect.  They fail.  They make mistakes.  More than that, they have weaknesses.  And there are times when they simply cannot be there for us.

So eventually, the time comes when we have to stop leaning on them, and start leaning on God.

Barak hadn’t gotten to that point yet as we come to this story.

Deborah was a judge in Israel and a prophetess, and she told Barak that God was calling him to go out and attack the enemies of Israel that were oppressing them. 

She told him that God would be with him and would deliver Israel’s enemies into Barak’s hands.

But Barak refused to go unless Deborah went with him.  Deborah said “Fine”, but that he would miss out on the honor that would’ve been his had he just obeyed God and followed him.

Why was it, if not wrong, then less than ideal, that Barak took Deborah with him?

I think the main reason was that it showed a lack of faith in God.  He wasn’t depending solely on God.  He was depending on someone who he knew was depending on God.

I suppose there are worse things.  He could’ve tried to depend on someone who was not following God.

But sooner or later, our faith needs to stand on its own.  That is, our faith shouldn’t rest on another’s faith.  Our faith should rest on Christ alone.

We shouldn’t follow and obey God because someone tells us to.  We should follow and obey him because we ourselves love him.

All children that grow up in Christian homes eventually have to face that choice.  I certainly did.

The day came when I had to ask myself, “Do I believe in God just because my parents do?  Or do I believe because he truly is real in my life? 

“Do I follow God just because my parents do?  Or do I follow God because I know from my personal experience and knowledge that he is worthy of my trust?”

But whether it’s our parents, or the person that led us to Christ and discipled us, sooner or later, we need to let go of their hands and start taking the hand of Jesus himself.

I’m not saying that we don’t need other Christian’s support in our lives.  We do.  God has placed other Christians in our lives to encourage us and help us grow.

But it’s not the imperfect models in our lives we should be following and relying on.  But Jesus himself.  As the writer of Hebrews wrote,

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  (Hebrews 11:2)

Whose hand are you holding?