The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Deborah the Sabra

Sometimes life on Earth can seem like a wilderness in which we must learn to thrive under sometimes harsh conditions. But walking in the world’s wilderness, I’ve discovered some beautiful desert plants growing in my garden of friends.

One of my desert plant friends is a prickly pear cactus. Prickly pears are covered with spikes, but when they bloom their flowers are big and brilliant. Today in Israel, people born in the land are called sabras, because they are tough on the outside and sweet on the inside. That’s like my friend Pia, who grew up in the tough streets of New York and learned to stick up for herself because she grew up in a single-parent household and her mother was at work all day, leaving Pia as the family protector…The first time we met, she slapped down one of my ideas for a women’s retreat. Later, however, she called to give me a Scripture as encouragement. I’ve learned that I can bring Pia my troubles and she will blossom into a prayer warrior…

I think of Deborah as a prickly pear cactus. Though she was female, Deborah was given the responsibility of judging the wayward Israelites. Scripture tells us “[she held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided]” (Judges 4:5). To understand her personality, you need to understand her name. Deborah literally means wasp and her story reveals that she was willing to sting if need be, even leading an army to war if the Lord led. She was uncompromising in her zeal for the Lord, singing, “[So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength]” (Judges 5:31). This godly woman could be prickly, but she also blessed those who followed the Lord…

Perhaps you know someone who is as prickly as a cactus. The care of prickly pears is quite simple: Put them in the sun and don’t overwater them. You can care for your prickly friends the same way. Make sure you place them in the Son by praying for them often. And don’t saturate them with too much attention. That’s when you might get stung.

Reflection:

1. Who among your friends is most like the prickly pear Penny described?
2. In what ways are you sometimes sharp on the outside yet sweet on the inside?
3. Spend some time praying that God would soften your edges. Pray for the friends in your life, asking God to strengthen them when necessary and sweeten them when needed.

Taken from the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible.