Take a look at 1 Samuel 14:6. The context is that Jonathan and his armor bearer are sneaking up on the Philistines. Jonathan is doing this on his own. He has neither told his father nor asked permission. He just went.
What strikes me about this passage is the last part of the verse, “…perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.” In this statement Jonathan places himself in sharp contrast with his father, Saul.
Jonathan was willing to risk his life and the life of his armor bearer on his faith in the Lord’s ability to act. Saul did not think this way. Later in the chapter, 1 Samuel 16:37, Saul inquires of the Lord, but the Lord does not answer him. Already, the relationship between Saul and the Lord is blocked.
Jonathan’s action is based on his belief in the omnipotence of God. There is no force that the Lord cannot defeat. Numbers are not the issue. The issue in whom Jonathan trusts.
I wonder what application, if any, that has for our missions.
On the surface Jonathan’s action may seem presumptuous, reckless. But his action is evidence of one who has placed himself completely in the Lord’s hands and is sold out to doing whatever the Lord wants.
If I had to choose I would follow Jonathan’s example rather than Saul’s.
What strikes me about this passage is the last part of the verse, “…perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.” In this statement Jonathan places himself in sharp contrast with his father, Saul.
Jonathan was willing to risk his life and the life of his armor bearer on his faith in the Lord’s ability to act. Saul did not think this way. Later in the chapter, 1 Samuel 16:37, Saul inquires of the Lord, but the Lord does not answer him. Already, the relationship between Saul and the Lord is blocked.
Jonathan’s action is based on his belief in the omnipotence of God. There is no force that the Lord cannot defeat. Numbers are not the issue. The issue in whom Jonathan trusts.
I wonder what application, if any, that has for our missions.
On the surface Jonathan’s action may seem presumptuous, reckless. But his action is evidence of one who has placed himself completely in the Lord’s hands and is sold out to doing whatever the Lord wants.
If I had to choose I would follow Jonathan’s example rather than Saul’s.
I think you mean 1 Samuel 14:6? I totally agree; Jonathan's trust was in God's character, in this case His omnipotence and I think also His particular Lordship over Jonathan's people, the Israelites. He knew God had promised to deliver Israel from the Philistines, the pagan enemies of Yahwh's people. David said it beautifully, 1 Samuel 17:26 (KJV)
ReplyDelete"who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
Knowing God's promises, and being willing to act on them is trusting Him.
The big challenge to me is to know the promises in any specific situation, then to act on it/them the best I know (by faith), then accept what God does whether I like it or not. God promises to do what He promises, not necessarily what I want or like.
oops yep
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