COMMON BUT USEFUL

• DAY 232
• FEAR FILE: JAEL
• SCRIPTURES: JUDGES 4:17-21

However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear.” And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket. Then he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him. And he said to her, “Stand at the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’ ” Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

One of the things that have been very evident since we started our study on coming out of fear, is how God is very skilled at using the things that we have, our talents, our life, the position that we find ourselves in, the situation that we might be going through, even our past errors and mistakes, flaws and imperfections. God knows how to use those things that are so easy for us as humans to despise or call common, to bring forth great work and do what He has been intending to do. And we find the same thing in our text today.

Jael was a homemaker and any typical homemaker has some basic skills. They know how to take care of their home, put things in place, cater to their kids and, in this particular time, part of the homemaker’s responsibility was to set up the tent and take it down. They also know how to make people feel comfortable in their homes. And it is so amazing that these skills were the ones that were needed when it came to defeating the enemy.

Sisera was on the run and looking for a place to hide. And this woman, being a homemaker, used those skills of persuasion that she uses to communicate with the men in her family to convince Sisera to stop over and rest. Her home was comfortable and her presence felt safe. He asked for water but she knew that milk is more relaxing and makes one sleep, especially warm milk given to a tired person. She gained that knowledge while being a homemaker. It wasn’t a special skill or knowledge, but it was pivotal at that time. Sisera felt so comfortable and maybe he underestimated what a mere housewife could do and he went to sleep.

One Blow

While he lay there asleep, this homemaker uses another common skill that is not so spectacular, that every other woman has. This skill is so common yet it brings her victory. Because she is so used to setting up tents, one strike of the tent peg was all she needed. With one blow bag to his head, he transitioned from a short rest to a rest in peace. She became the one that took the glory that Barak lost out of fear.

Beloved, sometimes the skill that you have may seem so common. Yes, you’re a makeup artist and there are a thousand of them on the street. And yes, you have a social media account and there are a thousand and one people that have a social media account. And you are hoping for something special, that has never been used before. Let Jael’s story defeat that thought right there. Let it silence the lies that the enemy is telling you. Because God can use that your common skill to bring about a deliverance for His people and glory to both His name and yours.

Common, So What?

God can use that thing that everybody is doing, and make it such that in your hands it is spectacular. There are other people who have written devotionals, books of fear. There are people who come online to share the gospel, doing exactly the same thing I’m doing, doing it right and doing it for the kingdom. But God still called me. He still chose me. I will not allow what every other person is doing to deter me.

The God that called me knew that there were people who would only relate to the message when it comes from me. Your unique life’s journey and your unique experiences are necessary. It’s common but needed. So do not be afraid to do what God is calling you to do. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done it before. It doesn’t matter who’s doing it. In your hands, it will bring glory.

Take a moment and thank God for the gift that he’s giving you. Thank him for choosing and calling you and commit yourself to do what God has called you to do. Even though, even though it doesn’t seem like there’s anything so special about it.

Shalom.