Making a Difference

By Pastor William R. Cunningham

Introduction

What difference could you possibly make in the world? The world is so great and there is so much evil and pain around you. One would think that it would be better to live your life as best you can and then spend eternity with the Lord. However, we find that such is not the case. A cursory look at Christian history would reveal that sometimes we have to stand up for what is right regardless of the consequences. Sometimes we are the catalyst for the will of God to be manifested on the earth. Sometimes we make a big difference on the world around us.

I would like to share with you some illustrations from the Bible on how one person can make a difference. Your life is important whether you know it or not. You don’t know whose life you are influencing and what great things that person might do. You still don’t know what God has in store for you either. So don’t count yourself out. Move in the power of God’s might to accomplish all that He wants of you.

We are going to briefly look at the following people and how God used them to change the course of history so to speak. We are going to look at Deborah and Gideon to see how one person can make a difference.

Deborah

Review Judges Chapter 4.

This is what we know about Deborah.

1. She was a prophetess (female prophet)
2. She was the fifth judge of Israel
3. She was called the wife of Lapidoth
4. She was the only female judge (there were other female prophets)
5. She lived in the area of Ephraim between Bethel and Ramah.
6. There was a palm tree given her name because that is where she sat to judge Israel.

The prominence of Deborah is magnified because she lived during a time where men ruled. She was the only woman judge of Israel. However, it must have been evident to the people that God was with her.

She is said to be the wife of Lapidoth. The word “Lapidoth” means torch and some believe that the phrase “wife of Lapidoth: should actually be rendered, ‘woman of a fire spirit and so Lapidoth is not a proper name.

It is very important to realize that Deborah was a prophet in addition to being a judge of Israel. Some have held that the only reason that Deborah was judge was because she had to stand in for her husband for one reason or another. Deborah was actually the “backup” judge until a man could be placed there. Of course that is utterly absurd. First of all, God chose her as judge. Secondly, God chose her as a prophet. Can not God choose whomever he pleases? God specifically chose Deborah because that is who she wants. The Bible gives us no data that supports any other scenario.

One can only imagine what it must have been like for Deborah. I am sure there were men who questioned her position as judge. However, there must have been something to convince the people as a whole that she was God’s choice. No woman could have claimed to be a judge of God and expect people to simply go along with her. God must have shown himself behind her selection as judge and prophet.

Consider the obstacles that you face in your life and how you think that there is on way that you could succeed. Paul said it nicely.

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) -- {31}What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

We should consider this also. If God has called you to do something then you will be equipped to do it and you will succeed. God would not call you to do something and then leave you to fail. We should also consider that the road to doing God’s will may not be an easy one. It may be difficult or even cost you your life as we see throughout church history. On the other hand it could also be rewarding and pleasurable. Let’s not think that doing the work of the Lord is always a negative experience.