New Year, Same Mask

 

Continuing a Series on “Living by Faith”
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
Judges 4:1-24; Hebrews 11:32

 [Hebrews 11 is a recounting of the Heroes of the Faith. Even though they never saw what they had been promised, each person is commended for living “by faith”. Following these commendations we read, “Therefore, because you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… throw off sin; run with perseverance; fix your eyes on Jesus”. In other words, continue to live “by faith”.]

 

As the calendar year turned to 2021, the Ohio Department of Transportation posted the following on their electronic signs across the state:

New Year, Same Mask

Mask up, Ohio

Do you remember when COVID started? Didn’t you think that it might all be over by summer time? Granted, it was inconvenient when the isles were bare and you couldn’t find any toilet paper. Yes, it was stressful to have your kids home 24-7. But, you knew it wouldn’t last forever. Right?

 

We’re coming up on a year of COVID, and the numbers are growing. We are strongly encouraged to wear masks, social distance and wash our hands regularly. There are also many restrictions such as a 10:00 pm curfew. People are tired of it!

 

But what would it be like if this went on for more than one year? How would you feel if it went on for twenty years?

 

After Ehud died, the people of Israel sinned against the Lord again. ² So the Lord let them be conquered by Jabin, a Canaanite king who ruled in the city of Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived at Harosheth-of-the-Gentiles. ³ Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots, and he ruled the people of Israel with cruelty and violence for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.                    GNT

 

During this time, Deborah was a prophet and judge, while leading Israel. She called on Barak to organize and lead 10,000 men to fight against Sisera.

 

We don’t know much about Barak. He did answer God’s call, albeit with some hesitancy. He organized the men to rebel against King Jabin; to fight against Sisera and his 900 iron clad chariots. Amazingly, they won! And for his efforts; for his faith; he is mentioned in Hebrews 11 as a Hero of the Faith.

 

Think of Sisera as a metaphor. A metaphor of any of those things that might be oppressive to you; those things that you have struggled with for a month; for a year; maybe even for a lifetime. It might be anger, anxiety, depression, an addiction or fear of failure. Remember that with faith, there is hope.

 

²³ So on that day Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king. ²⁴ And from that time on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him.                NLT

 

“New Year, Same Mask”. 

This slogan indicates that there is an ongoing struggle. Like Barak, we are called by the Lord into the struggle; into the battle with our spiritual enemies. And like Barak, the Lord is with us. It is his battle. It is his victory. All we need to do is to take the first step of faith.