Sorry for the ramblings here at the beginning of this post. Consider it raw honesty. It will get somewhere, trust me...
I'm tired. I drank too much coffee today and sat through too much training. Or was it too much? What is my limit? Do I have to let this bother me? I'm I really seeing all of God's blessings in my life?
I sat down to write this post because I felt obligated. I haven't been keeping up with it like I want. I read other blogs that put mine to shame. How do they have the time? Have they gone to school for journalism?
Have you ever tried doing something when you're exhausted and find yourself hitting your head against a wall. Consider this my free writing brainstorming warming up exerciserific writing...aahh, that's better.
So I was reading (well, actually listening to) God's word today from First Samuel, and I was reminded again of what a great guy Jonathan was. His father, Saul, was recently anointed the first king over Israel, and he was next in line to the throne. Saul has just picked a fight with the kings of Philistia and now Saul's army is quaking in fear over the size of the Philistine army that has come out to fight them. To make matters worse, Saul has already disobeyed the Lord, and the prophet Samuel has announced that the kingdom will be taken away from Saul's family.
In the midst of these depressing family circumstances and perilous national security, Jonathan provides a great example of faith in the Lord.
Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”
Faith is...
Action
"Come, let's go..."
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Jonathan takes action.
Waiting on the Lord
"Perhaps the Lord will..."
He does not have any selfish motivation like his father, who proved to have a personal vendeta against the Philistines. Saul wanted to prove his military superiority with or without God...and the without God is the part that killed him. Saul's low self-esteem made him want to build himself up through his own deeds. I easily fall into this trap as I seek to serve the Lord. The Devil is right their to say,"Yeah, good job! Look what YOU did. YOU are pretty good. YOU deserve heaven. YOU don't need Jesus; I think your good enough already. If you screw up, just try harder next time and it will all work out. No one needs to know you messed up. Just keep it a secret. Don't talk to God or anyone about it. You have really good intentions. Keep it up. YOU can do it!"
Trust
"Nothing can hinder the Lord..."
Need I say more? Yes! Salvation is found in no one else! Praise be to Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Strong fellowship
"I am with you heart and soul."
It is neat to see how a strong relationship with God brings about strong relationships with others. Jonathan's armor bearer had full confidence, trust, and faith in Jonathan to lead him in the Lord's path. That brings us nicely into the next characteristic of faith.
Leadership
"Come on, then..."
Seriously, come on, then! Follow me. Worship the Lord and praise his name. Tell all the nations what he has done. Through faith we follow Christ and lead others to Christ.
Intelligent
"If they say to us...that will be our sign..."
When you follow God, you look really smart. Now, I'm not saying you are really smart (I have already dis-proven this theory myself). When you trust the God that has set up all natural laws, that knows all personal thoughts, that fills the universe with His presence, that promises to work everything for your good, that has proven himself to be faithful throughout the history of the world; you, my friend, are in really good hands.
With the Lord's help, Jonathan and his armor bearer rout the entire Philistine army. Philistine soldiers are running a muck, fearful, and swinging at anyone who comes close to them, which is usually their own guys. Part of the Philistine army switches sides on purpose, fighting for Israel. Other Israelites join the chase so that the losses on the Philistine army is very great. Ironically, the only thing preventing the Philistine losses from being very, very great is the selfishness of Saul, who prevented the Israelite soldiers from eating until Saul could be declared the victor over the Philistines. Jonathan still honors his father even though he disagrees with his selfish leadership decisions, because Jonathan honors the Lord.
Jonathan was a great friend, humble at heart, and a faithful follower of God.
Lord, help me be like Jonathan!
