What A Mess: Deborah - Rev. Vicki Harrison

In today’s sermon from Rev. Vicki Harrison, she walks us through the powerful and often overlooked story of Deborah, found in Judges 4 and 5. As part of our What a Mess series, we explore how God raises up unlikely leaders—people the world may never choose—to accomplish His purposes in the midst of chaos.

Pastor Vicki opens with a reality check: the time of the Judges was marked by confusion and rebellion, a time when “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Sound familiar? Yet even in the disorder, God was still listening, still calling, and still delivering. And in this case, He chooses Deborah—a woman, prophet, and judge—to lead Israel with bold faith.

We learn that Deborah doesn’t just sit in authority—she acts. She calls Barak to battle, encourages him to trust God’s promise, and even goes with him when he hesitates. Her leadership is marked by courage, obedience, and worship. After victory, Deborah sings a song of praise, making it clear that the true hero is God alone.

Throughout the sermon, Pastor Vicki invites us to reflect on some deeply personal questions:

• Do we believe God still hears our cries?

• Are we ignoring a call because we feel unqualified or unseen?

• Are we giving God the credit for the victories He brings?

And most importantly—how does Deborah’s story point us to Jesus, the ultimate deliverer who leads, saves, and sings over His people?

If you’ve ever felt unqualified, invisible, or overwhelmed by your own mess, Deborah’s story reminds us: God sees, God calls, and God delivers.

Want to go deeper? Join a Community Group to process the message with others, or learn more about how we Grow Faith together at New Hope.