Today's encouragement comes from Judges 4:14a, where we read these words:
"Then Deborah said to Barak, 'Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?' "When God goes before His saints, it is imperative that we come after Him, fighting in His strength, and collecting the spoils of victory. There can be no glory where there is no engagement in the battle. Here, the woman judge De-borah has to nudge the captain Barak to do what should have come naturally.
As Christ goes before His church today, as the Good Shepherd, let us be sure to follow Him—tenderly caring for His lambs, and persistently defeating His enemies. As we do so, we will reap all the encouragement we need.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Maintain your hopes against all discouragements either of fear or temptation. Christians, do not let the devil argue you out of your hopes.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Sacred Anchor"]
