Daily Devotional

“When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 3:9). 

Package delivery services have come a long way since the Pony Express venture of 1860–61, when sending a letter from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento took months. Alexander Majors planned to 

do it in ten days. Many said it was impossible. Majors and his partners accomplished it by putting together 120 riders, 184 stations, 400 horses, and several hundred assistants. Each rider was given a small Bible and was required to take an oath “by the help of God” to overcome all difficulties in his work. 

Riding for the Pony Express was difficult. Riders needed to be tough and lightweight. One famous advertisement read: “Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” They were well paid for their work—$100 per month. Most of the names of riders have been lost, but the untarnished record of these young men who provided much needed and dangerous service made them heroes of the American West. 

We don’t know much about Othniel, one of the first judges in Israel. After being oppressed for eight years by the king of Mesopotamia, the people cried out to the Lord for help, and God raised up a deliverer. The people had been following other gods, but they repented and the Lord heard their prayers. Othniel’s name means “powerful one of God.” 

Only four judges in Israel were described as having “the Spirit of the Lord” (Judges 3:10) upon them. Othniel was one of them. “He went out to war, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim” (verse 10). This often forgotten hero brought Israel forty years of peace. 

The Lord is still ready to quickly deliver much-needed help in difficult times for His people. The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, emphasis added). 

Dear Jesus, You hear my prayers without delay and deliver help in my time of need. Thank You!