In the prophetic Psalms even our Savior was positioned to feel the pressure of a life of contradiction. Psalm 69:12, 12 – “I made my sackcloth also my garment, and I became a proverb to them. They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song (taunting or mocking song) of drunkards." Jesus was and still is the “taunting song” of fools and drunkards, though He took on the form of a servant to end up on the cross for all. To some He bears the Song of Mockery and shame (“Why don't you come down off of that foolish cross?”), but to those who realize the power of His love … He becomes their Song of Deliverance (“Surely this Man was the Son of God, please remember me!”).
Why do we long for and feel we deserve flowery beds of ease while our Savior's time on this planet was spent continually bearing the “contradiction of sinners”? So many of us want to run and to hide within the our own pretentious “I'm OK” life. When in reality, the value of brokenness needs to be fully released in this wounded world that is dying for deliverance from the FAKE. Let's get real, look around, see the plight of the lost, open your eyes to suffering saints, and see the true value of the Song of Faith under pressure.
There is a woman's tale told in scripture in Judges 4. She was definitely in a helpless pressure cooker situation. But by the way she handled her situation, she actually became the key hero in a song sung by The Heroes of her day (Judges 5). A nobody in love with God, forced into the tents of service to the enemy … became the Song of Saints in an opportune moment. Awesome!
Oh, this lady of faith would have longed to be allowed to sing the song of Moses and to give glory to the God of Israel; but being that her family was in league with the enemy, her faith had to be kept in check for an opportunity that God might give her in the future. Her name said it all … Jael (Mountain Goat – a wild goat who is clinging to the Heights, though forced into the pastures … God's Decision). Not a lot of her character is known except by her actions taken in a time of strategic importance to the survival of the nation of Israel.
Her faith was loud in its quiet serving patience. Her faith had power in her truly approachable nature. Her longing for the Heights did not make her miserable in the tents of bondage. She had such a welcome spirit of contentment in service … that when the Captain of the enemy's army was looking for a place to hide from Israel (running to the tents of a people who were in league with him) her tent showed welcome safety. Her longing to be able to help those she truly loved finally found its day. Here are the words from her song: “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, ...”. Out of all the possible heroes and mighty men that could have won the victory in that fierce day of battle … the opportunity for victory stumbled into the tent of bondage; and the heart of faith under pressure ... realized its time.
Oh...suffering and serving child of the King, waiting for deliverance from this moment's bondage, longing to do something great for the King, … hold on, for today may be that appointed day. Remain His faithful song.
“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
HLFA,
Jeff
PS .. Happy Birthday Jael C. Redding ... 7/28/2013...learn from your name sake ... careful with the hammer and tent pegs. Love, Dad