2024_04_10 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- 1 Samuel 13:2-3, 1 Samuel 14:1-16, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 20:1-42, 1 Samuel 23:16-18
There is so much in our reading this week that a whole message series could be devoted to it. Saul’s misuse of faith and power, David’s and Jonathan’s deep friendship, Jonathan’s devotion to doing the right thing even though it would mean not succeeding his father as king, and more. What I want to look at today is the faith Jonathan had in his Heavenly Father and the loyalty of his armor bearer.
During a time when the Philistines are threatening Israel – something that was a common occurrence – Jonathan takes his armor-bearer and infiltrates the Philistine defenses. As they come upon an enemy outpost, they see there are twenty soldiers to their two. Jonathan was a skilled and accomplished soldier, but odds like this were huge. Undeterred, Jonathan explains his plan to attack saying, “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” 7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (NLT)
As warriors defending their homeland, Jonathan and his armor-bearer knew their role and accepted the risks. In this case, their faith in God tipped the scales. While no one would have faulted them for backing away and looking for a safer plan, Jonathan’s conviction led him to take on the challenge. His armor-bearer (we don’t know his name) doesn’t resist or challenge his commander. He had been with Jonathan for a while and knew him to be a solid warrior and a man of faith-fueled courage. Though the plan was risky, this man had faith in God and Jonathan, and their loyalty to both is evident.
Sometimes, God will lead us to take action that requires Him to come through, or we will fall flat on our faces. This is the nature of true faith. If I am unwilling to step out and depend on God then, as someone has said, I am really living as a practical atheist. In other words, I say I trust God but my life choices don’t require Him to be present or active.
One of the most succinct passages that describes what God wants from us is Proverbs 3:5–8 (NLT):
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.”
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor