“She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabinʼs army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’ ” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you donʼt go with me, I wonʼt go.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Hebrews 11: 32-34 lists some biblical heroes who routed out foreign armies. Barak is mentioned as one of these men. During his time, Israel was being oppressed by an enemy who had iron chariots. But God spoke through the Prophetess Deborah, and instructed him to go against the enemy. In faith, he stepped out against an enemy who seemed stronger than him.
The import of the story, is that, we will do exploits if we believe and act in God’s words. Foreign armies are the physical and spiritual enemies that fight against us.
The Lord led the foreign army into Barak’s hands, and Barak destroyed them. Once we make the move to obey, the Lord will lead us into victory. Don’t look at the size of the problem, or the fact that certain problems have “iron chariots”. Today, we choose to focus on the greatness of our God and the word of God to us.
Let’s note that when we obey God, we should do so fully, not adding anything or anyone to it. When Barak was told to go to battle with the enemy, he insisted that the prophetess should come along. Therefore, he won the battle, but the glory went to a woman. Partial obedience leads to partial glory. Full obedience will accomplish the full glory of God in our lives.
When God gives instructions to go, let us not add other people to it. When we carry Lot, Aaron or Deborah along, it may lead to certain results that would not let the miracles come out completely.
We pray today routing out every foreign army in our lives in Jesus’ name. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us obey His directions with single-mindedness. We pray that the Lord will give us strength and power over problems that have harassed us, in the name of Jesus. We receive strength to overcoming long standing challenges today, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.