Even though he had lost the army of Canaan, Sisera continued to give orders and demand obedience. Jael did him a favor by sheltering him and feeding him milk. People who are used to giving orders tend to have a spirit of superiority, demanding that everyone do what they want, even if it is not lawful. That is why that officer told Heber's wife, at the door of the tent, what she should say.

Imagine if Sisera were not in trouble, still had his troops with him, and was not being sought by Barak and the Israelite soldiers! Christians who practice the Word know that there is a promise to rely on in times of trouble: Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62.8). We can trust in the Lord!

By Sisera's order, Jael was to stand at the door of the tent and lie to anyone who asked her if there was anyone else there. However, she knew she would not need to do so, for God had already instructed her on how to act. Soon, the world would be free from the executioners of Canaan. It is not good to trifle with the affairs of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Most High, who is a Refuge and a Fortress (Psalm 46:1), promised to give victory to His people and guided Jael to do so.

No matter what the enemy tells you to do, God is your Strength, and you owe nothing to the devil. Right now, take notice of where he is operating in your life and enter into prayer to awaken the divine power within you. Then address the evil that bothers you and command it to leave and never return. God guarantees His blessing. Believe, pray, and live in the light of this truth!

It was not once or twice that the Israelite nation was under the oppression of foreign armies, but because they trusted in the Lord, the threats did not materialize. The Lord was the Refuge of Israel. It was unlikely that a small country with only ten thousand soldiers would defeat the might of Sisera, with a large army and 900 iron chariots. However, there is no match for those who have the Almighty fighting on their behalf. He is our God!

Once, Sennacherib decided to invade Judah, sending thousands of soldiers there to make King Hezekiah yield. He did not know that those who serve God do not surrender for anything. The secretaries of the Assyrian king intimidated the people in Jerusalem, threatening to raid the city and destroy it. Isaiah sent God's message to Hezekiah, saying that none of the Assyrians would enter Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:5-8). It was a matter of believing in order to see. The Israelites believed and saw it happen.

The Assyrians increased the pressure on Hezekiah, but the prophet Isaiah said: Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. (2 Kings 19.32). Note that Isaiah said that no arrow would be shot at the holy city. That night, an angel killed 185,000 of the best soldiers in the Assyrian camp (v. 35), and God delivered Israel again. Praise the Lord!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares.