For Captain Sisera, his strategy was foolproof: destroy the oppressed so that they would no longer attempt to rebel against the king of Canaan. The military commander promptly summoned all the people who were with him and his 900 iron chariots to battle. These were greatly feared not only because they were impenetrable by any weapon of those days, but also because they had sharp blades attached to their wheels, which cut the legs of anyone who dared to approach them.  

Josephus, a Jewish historian, states that the battle involved 15,000 men on horseback, in addition to 150,000 infantry soldiers, a Canaanite military force that marched on foot to quell any Israeli resistance. The number was sufficient to suppress a major uprising. On the other hand, poor Barak had only 10,000 men on foot, without powerful weapons. Was Sisera exaggerating and failing to see that he didn't need so many people?

Hell doesn't mess with us and will always bring its strength to fight against us. However, we cannot underestimate the power that God gives us to win battles—from the war tactics used by King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:20-24) to the combativeness of Gideon's 300, who defeated the Midianites in one fell swoop (Judges 6–7). When we enter into battle with God, success is totally guaranteed. We should not fear the threats of the enemy who shows himself and comes with force, as if he could defeat us. No matter his size, God is much greater than him!

David reigned in Israel for 40 years, with the surrounding peoples as tributaries, because the Lord was on his side. David did not exploit anyone, but fought to give his nation sovereignty. For this beloved king, it did not matter who was against Israel, for they would not succeed. As for Joshua, God promised that He would be with him as He was with his predecessor, Moses (Joshua 1:1-9). God will be with you just as He was with our predecessor, Jesus!

When Christians fear the threats of the enemy, they despise the Almighty, who said He would be with us until the end (Matthew 28:10). Joshua clearly heard God's promise: No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1.5). Never let yourself be overcome by fear; take on the role of the Highest's envoy and go into battle!

For me, the one who trembled with fear was the fearsome captain of Jabin's army, for he saw Barak's decision to climb Mount Tabor with only ten thousand men as a great threat. Deep down, Sisera knew that the strength of the Israeli military leader came from the one who opened the Red Sea, the Lord who is with us 24 hours a day and no single hair of our heads shall be lost (Luke 21:18). Watch and pray.

When Barak was with Deborah, he asked her to go with him into battle because he recognized that she was clothed with heavenly power. For him, it did not matter who would defeat Sisera, only that the captain of the enemy army would be destroyed along with his army. Barak had no doubt about this, for his people went into battle with the same faith as their ancestors. Our faith is in God and in the blood of Christ (Revelation 12:11).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares