The Israelites were singing a song about Barak in Judges 5:12–23. Barak, the leader of the Israelite army whose fears were real. The military man who refused to go into battle alone and demanded that Deborah go with him. In the midst of all his faults, the song remembers the victory: his prisoners (v. 12) and his leadership (v. 15) made it in the annals of history.

The grace and favor we find in Barak’s story reminds us that we can cut others – and ourselves – a little slack for our moments of fear. Despite his shortcomings, Barak believed with the little faith he could muster, and God used it to bring victory over one of the most feared armies of the day.

We’re rarely going to get it all right, but the faith of a mustard seed is all we need to see God triumph. He will lead and He will provide; we just need to believe. The victory depends on Him, not us.

Where do you need to show mercy to yourself and others?