Judith 8:32-36: a reflection

32Then Judith said to them, “Hear me, and I will do a thing, which will go down to all generations among the children of our race. 33You shall all stand at the gate tonight. I will go out with my maid. Within the days after which you said that you would deliver the city to our enemies, the Lord will deliver Israel by my hand. 34But you shall not inquire of my act; for I will not tell you until the things are finished that I will do.” 35Then Ozias and the rulers said to her, “Go in peace. May the Lord God be before you, to take vengeance on our enemies.” 36So they returned from the tent, and went to their stations.

The city of God's people is besieged, and the leaders, worn down, have nearly resolved to surrender. But Judith will not join the despair. Hear me, she says; I will do a thing that will be remembered for generations. She asks only that they let her go out, and not question what she intends; she is resolved to act, trusting that the Lord will deliver Israel by her hand. While the leaders were ready to give up, Judith resolved to act in faith.

Notice the contrast between the despairing leaders and the resolved Judith. The leaders, at the end of their endurance, had nearly given up; they saw no way forward but surrender. But Judith, facing the same desperate situation, resolved to act, trusting God to work through her. Where others saw only defeat, she saw an occasion for God to deliver; and she was willing to step up and act, at great risk, rather than join the surrender.

That is a courage worth having: to act in faith when others have given up. There are times when those around us, worn down and discouraged, are ready to give up, to surrender to despair, to conclude that nothing can be done. And in such times, it takes courage to be the one who resolves to act, trusting God, rather than joining the despair. When others give up, do not automatically give up with them. Consider whether God may be calling you to step up and act in faith, as Judith did, trusting him to work even through you. Be willing, when others have surrendered to despair, to be the one who acts in faith, believing that God can still deliver, and offering yourself as one through whom he might work.

Lord, when the besieged city's leaders had nearly resolved to surrender, Judith would not join their despair, but resolved to act, trusting that you would deliver Israel by her hand. Give me that courage: to act in faith when others have given up. There are times when those around me, worn down and discouraged, are ready to give up, to surrender to despair, to conclude that nothing can be done. And in such times, it takes courage to be the one who resolves to act, trusting you, rather than joining the despair. When others give up, keep me from automatically giving up with them. Help me consider whether you may be calling me to step up and act in faith, as Judith did, trusting you to work even through me. Make me willing, when others have surrendered to despair, to be the one who acts in faith, believing that you can still deliver, and offering myself as one through whom you might work. Give me faith to act when others despair.