Carina Francke

Due to a lack of male leaders in Israel (Judges 5:7), Deborah acted as judge and prophetess for her people. God commanded her to send Barak to save Israel from their oppressors, the Canaanites. With a straightforward strategy from God and His promise that He will give the enemy in Barak's hands, she called on Barak to go to war. However, this was not assurance enough for Barak - he requested Deborah's presence to go into battle: "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!" (Judges 4:8).Maybe this request had something to do with her attitude towards people: "My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered them willingly with the people" (Judges 5:9).

Taking into account the minor role women played in ancient society, Deborah's relationship with God and her strong spiritual leadership must have impressed Barak tremendously.  He felt save with her. In modern terminology, we will say that Barak called on her to have his back - a person who acts as a human shield for someone's back.

Martin Luther had someone like that when he posted his Ninety Five Theses on the church door of Wittenberg. When the religious leaders lashed back at him, Friedrich, the elector of Saxony, called him aside and said, "Marty, I've got your back."

Is it then only people who have the ability to do great things or perhaps facilitate radical changes, that need someone to have his back? No! Everyone needs a human shield for his back; someone walking beside you and praying for you, because on life's journey there might be someone waiting to get you from behind, trying to shipwreck either your integrity, spirit, calling, or God's dream for your life. Ungrounded gossip and critique are very often that person's weapons that wound deeply.

Back shields are people who cover you with their prayers, their encouraging words and sincerity. They are sensitive not to be disrespectful or undermining and willingly buffers you when bullets start flying around. They take the back seat to be your strength and never hesitates to take a supportive role, even if you are going to be the hero of the story.

Nevertheless, life is not all about someone having your back, but also about you having the back of someone else.  Be a Deborah - not only for your contemporaries or friends, but also for the leaders and reformers of tomorrow. "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others." (Philippians 2:4)

Prayer: Father, thank you for the back shields in my life who, most of the time, are one step before me, fending off the enemy.  I humbly ask that You also use me as a back shield for someone standing in the open, exposed to danger. Amen