Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go." Judges 4:8
Conditional obedience. Why do we so willingly follow God's plan, as long as certain conditions are in place? When my children are grown - when I have control over this bad habit - when I feel better about myself... There are so many excuses for delaying our pursuit of God's will. God is not limited by us; He can accomplish anything through a mere thought, through a simple breath. Yet He chooses to work through the hand's of men.
Barak was a strong military leader. He led an army that broke the back of Jabin, the Canaanite king. For twenty years, the Canaanites had oppressed the Israelites. With nine hundred iron chariots, the Canaanites seemed invincible. But in one day, the Lord used Barak to rout every single man.
All except one, that is.
Barak's obedience was conditional. He agreed to fight, only if Deborah the prophetess would accompany him. This request was not what one would expect. Take a woman into battle? Did he lack faith in God's plan? Barak was a man of faith; his name is mentioned among the heroes of the faith in the book of Hebrews. But he missed out on the honor of killing Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army. This honor was given to a woman.
The conditions Barak placed upon his obedience didn't affect the outcome; Jabin's army was destroyed. What was changed, however, was Barak's part in it. Yes, he is commended for his faith, but he is also remembered for his lack of it.
Lord, forgive me for placing conditions on my obedience. To love You, I must obey You. So in truth, it is my love that is conditional. Help me to love with my whole heart. Give me the courage - despite the conditions.