The Hesitation That Costs A Man | Judges 4:6–10

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Support our mission to teach every verse of the Bible. Read more here: Project23

Our text today is Judges 4:6-10:

She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand’?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him. — Judges 4:6-10

What blessings slip through our fingers when we hesitate instead of acting in faith?

God had already spoken: “Go, gather your men… I will give him into your hand.” The outcome was certain. Victory was promised. But Barak hesitated.

Instead of trusting God’s word, he leaned on Deborah: “If you go with me, I will go.” He wanted her presence more than God’s promise. Deborah agreed—but warned him: the glory of victory wouldn’t go to him. God would hand Sisera over to a woman instead.

Barak went to battle, but the lesson was clear: hesitation comes at a cost. God still wins—but when we pause at the edge of obedience, we may miss the full blessing of leading boldly.

This is where too many believers get stuck. God calls. The promise is sure. But instead of stepping out in full faith, we hesitate. We stall. We wait for more signs, more reassurance, more backup.

Barak still fought, but his hesitation meant he lost the honor of leading with decisive courage. Deborah had to fill the gap.

Here’s the challenge: don’t wait for someone else to carry the weight God put on your shoulders. God’s victory doesn’t depend on you—but your faithfulness does. Step up without hesitation. Don’t miss the blessing because you lingered when God said, "Go."

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I hesitating when God has already spoken clearly?
2. What fears keep me from taking the step God is calling me to take?
3. Who might be carrying weight right now because I’ve delayed obedience?
4. How can I step forward today in faith instead of waiting for more certainty?

DO THIS:

Pinpoint one area where you’ve been hesitating. Stop stalling—take one clear step of obedience today.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, forgive me for hesitating when you’ve already spoken. Give me the courage to step forward in faith, trusting your promise more than my fear. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Made For More."