I Samuel 14:1, Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
Speaking the Truth in Love
by Pastor Tommy Hill
I Samuel 14:6-12, And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
Jonathan and his armourbearer set out upon a task that seems insurmountable. The battle strategy does not appear sufficient for victory. In fact, if a military commander suggested this type of strategy, he would be removed from command. Two men, taking on a garrison of enemy combatants, without any backup.
When we read this story, we must not overlook the valuable lesson we learn in regards to the spiritual battles we face in life. These men may have been fighting the enemy but they were well equipped for the conflict. They were entering the battlefield with God on their side. The other soldiers may not have been aware of their situation or impending fight but God was never surprised by the developing conflict. As verse 6 states, Jonathan said, “it may be that the LORD will work for us:” God knew the number of enemy soldiers they would face and with God, all things are possible. There are a few things we can learn when we face troubles with God on our side.
God’s Purpose Revealed. God does not desire that His children cower down in the face of the enemy. We find ourselves in spiritual battles many times. When it seems we are outnumbered and defeat appears certain, we must remember that God has a purpose for us. Sometimes that purpose requires us to be strengthened through battles so God can prepare us for the next conflict coming our way.
God’s Power Displayed. Two men against a garrison seems like the worst battle strategy ever. The enemy surely must have been amused at the challenge they saw before them. What is impossible with men is never impossible with God, for with God all things are possible. God’s power for our battles is revealed in how He gained victory through these two soldiers. When we face our daily battles, may we remember that we do not fight alone?
God has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us. Our battles are not physical in nature, but spiritual. These spiritual battles are fought on the battlefield of faith. We prepare for these battles by being well versed in God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, ” So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The more we learn of God’s Word the greater prepared we become for the spiritual battles that come our way. As we trust in God, IT MAY BE that God’s power will be displayed in our conflict.
God’s Plan Fulfilled. God’s plan for us is ultimately victory. God does not always fight our battles for us; many times God will fight our battles through us. As in the case of Jonathan and his armourbearer, God used them to defeat Israel’s enemy. In this victory, God taught them to trust in Him. We must not overlook the fact that victory was gained and faith was strengthened because they were following God’s desires, in other words, they were obedient to what God desired for them to be doing.
If we desire for God to fulfill His plans in our lives we must be obedient to His will for us, we must do our best to live the Christian life. Sin in our lives will adversely affect the outcome of the battles we face but when we walk with the Lord the victory will be ours. Sometimes the victory will come in the day of our need, at other times we must wait on God, but in eternity the war will be over and the final victory celebration will begin. God can do much with just a few good men (or women). Will you be who God wants you to be?
Pastor Tommy Hill is the pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church in Hamlet. He is a Richmond County native. He can be reached at firstfwbchurchhamlet@gmail.com
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