written by Duane Cook

 

Biography

Hi! My name is Duane Cook. My wife is Patsy and we have three grown children…daughter Amy, son-in-law Ian, and son Adam. We came to Fairport from Southern California in 1991. I serve in a variety of capacities at Browncroft, such as Children’s Ministry, One Voice Choir and the elder board. I am on the executive committee for Flower City Work Camp.

Relection

Judges 5 is a song of celebration for a great accomplishment: One that would usher in forty years of peace for the nation. God had gone ahead of the nation of Israel and routed His enemies. Their enemies’ leader, Sisera, overpowered with thirst and exhausted from trying to escape was killed as he lay fast asleep. Can you imagine General David Petraeus on the day of a decisive battle in Afghanistan stopping to write a song of praise? But that is exactly what Deborah does. The song, however, is more than that-- it gives intimate and vivid details, praising leaders who stepped forward (verses 2-3; 14-15; 18-19), faulting those who failed when called to act (verses 16-17), recognizing the heroics of the woman named Jael who killed Sisera (verses 24-27), and tells of the self deception of Sisera’s mother in the loss of her son (verses 28-30). A history lesson, geography lesson, and song of praise all wrapped up together.

Deborah had her heart and mind in the right place. She gave God the glory for the great things he had done “through her hands.” Yes, she was a major participant-- but all that was accomplished was impossible without Him. It is also a reminder that we only get to see God’s mighty hand before us if we are there to observe it. As I read through the list of tribes of Israel who failed to step up in this chapter I think about the adage that twenty percent of the people seem to always do eighty percent of the work. How sad. Want to see more of God’s faithfulness? Try serving Him more.

Your fellow traveler,

Duane