CAN ONE PERSON MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
 
One person can make a difference in somebody else's life. One person can make a
difference in several people's lives.  Sometimes I hear a Christian say
something like "I can't really do anything," " it's not going to
make a difference," or " I don't have that much faith to do
that."  All we need is a little faith.  We don't need a lot of faith.  (1)
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is like
to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.  (2)
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the
greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come
and lodge in the branches thereof.  Matthew 13:31-32.

Faith grows from little to big just like a tree.  Look at the story of Deborah
in Judges, Chapter 4.  Deborah was one of fifteen judges in Israel.  She was
actually co-judge with Barak.  Deborah had great faith in God compared to
Barak's little faith but they both played a pivotal role in delivering Israel
from the Canaanites.  Sometimes I hear that Deborah had tremendous faith (
which she did) therefore, Barak played no role whatsoever.  Barak made a couple
of small initiatives with the little faith he had and as a result God's plan
became a reality for Israel.  If he did not take those tiny steps of faith
Israel would still be in bondage.

These are the facts.  Remember God calls the exact people to a given task at
different points in history.  This is certainly true of Deborah and Barak.In
Judges, Chapter 4:1 " the children of Israel again did evil in the sight
of the Lord"...and as a result the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin
who was the king of Canaan for twenty years.  That is a long time but it is
also the number of redemption.  Finally the children of Israel went to Deborah
regarding the situation. I think the children of Israel sensed that she was a
very Godly woman and she had tremendous faith in God.  What amazes me about
this woman is she knew what to do immediately.  She listened to God which is a
part of our faith and the Lord gave her exact instructions.  God always has a
plan and there is a purpose behind it for His glory.  The message was for Barak
( he was co-judge with Deborah without a central government in Israel) to take
ten thousand men to Mount Tabor. If you are a child of God and in trouble God
has a  specific place for you.  Never believe anything less.  The tactical part
of the plan was to cause Jaban's men ( their enemy) to come and meet the ten
thousand Israelites.This also relates to human nature.  If one person picks a
fight with another usually there is a square off-a face to face as it were.

This all happened but let me back up a bit. Barak who was commander of the
Israelite's army you might recall had a stipulation before he did this.  The
Israelite army was grossly outnumbered but also remember that the great men of
faith throughout history were too.  Our strength is in Jesus Christ.  And Barak
said unto her, if thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go
with me, then I will not go.  Judges, Chapter 4:8.  Many people look at this
verse and say " well Barak had no faith in God."  This is not true,
Barak had little faith in God- he was still willing to go.  If he had no faith
in God he would have said something like " I'm not doing this."
Little faith ( I think I can) great faith ( I know I can) perfect faith ( it is
already done).  Deborah had perfect faith and Barak had little faith but they
both played a pivotal role in allowing God to set Israel free.  When we are
called by God to do something or are in trouble little faith is better than no
faith.  Little faith can grow to perfect faith.  Did you ever hear anybody say
" I am growing in the Lord?"

Deborah was disappointed in Barak's little faith but God was still willing to
use it.  Maybe that's all Barak had after seeing one hardship after another for
twenty years.  We don't know what this man went through.  I wonder how much his
faith grew after this whole experience.  Remember the widow in the New
Testament gave one penny but the Lord said she gave everything.  This is why
our judgment could not possibly be accurate because one person may be coming
from minus 45 to plus 5 whereas another person might be going from plus 10 to
25.Judge not, that ye be not judged.  Matthew 7:1.

Deborah was still willing to go along with the plan.  Not only was she open to
God but she was also open with people.  She was a remarkable woman.  When both
parties ( the Israelites and the Canaanites) were just about to face off in the
heat of the tension she said to Barak..." Up; for this is the day in which
the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before
thee?...and as a result Barak now had great faith ( I know I can) all because
he first exercised little faith first ( I think I can).  Does this sound like
the Choo-Choo Train?  I think I can, I think I can, I know I can.

God caused rain to come down from the sky and as a result the Canaanites
chariots were stuck in mud. God works in mysterious ways.  The Canaanites had
too much confidence in themselves and none in God and that is always a problem
no matter who you are.  Some of their men should have been on foot with no
chariots.  They put all their money in one stock.  Another foolish decision.
They fell under their own pride.  The bigger they are the harder they fall.

If somebody were to ask me if Deborah was not there at that point in history
would Israel have remained in bondage I would answer yes but it is interesting
to me that God's human plan to accomplish His task also required a man of
little faith ( Barak).  Deborah's perfect faith led her to listen to God and
put the plan into action.  Remember faith without works is dead. Her presence
was reassuring, they defeated an enemy, and she gave praise and worship to God.
 Remember first she had faith in God, then she was able to worship God.  The
more faith we have in God the more we are going to want to worship our Lord.
Then Israel went on to have forty years of peace.

Even if you have little faith something is better than nothing.  Who knows with
that little faith you could change somebody's life.  If we have great or
perfect faith it is wise to praise God for giving us the belief in the first
place remembering that our little faith grew to great or even perfect faith
because God is the one who causes the growth; therefore, He of course gets the
glory.  Praise to God now and forever!

Bob D.