1 Samuel_14
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6 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.”
Observation-What does it say? The people of Israel are surrounded by the Philistines. Out numbered and without weapons, Saul is afraid to act. Moreover, Samuel is not in the camp for Saul to seek advice from. Jonathan, Saul's son, goes up with his armor bearer to the camp of the Philistines with the fire of the Lord in his heart. The two of them attack and kill twenty men. What happens next is a miracle, a great confusion comes over the camp of the Philistines, who begin attacking each other. Thus, the Lord delivered Israel that day, not by the strength of many, but by the great faith of a few.
Understanding-What does it mean? I am not a great baseball fan. I don’t have the fortitude to keep watching week after week for almost an entire year. I love to watch baseball, but I am just not very loyal to the team. But my favorite team in baseball has got to be the Angels of 2002. I have always loved a good underdog team, unless I’m playing on that team of course. The suspense of watching a group of guys who work as a team to beat the odds.
The Angels of 2002 were exactly that, a group of guys who were not the best, but they worked the best together. That year was the Angel's first World Series championship in the team’s first 42 seasons, and their only one in 59 years. Something that team had, which isn’t present in most, is trust. There were no super stars on the team, but the team trusted each other to fulfill their role on the team. They each had to let go of control.
I heard a pastor once compare a life of faith to sky-diving. You have to completely let go of what you know (the plane) to experience the adventure, and you have to place your trust in something that you can’t control. Much like the Angels who had to place their trust in their team-mates, whom they have no control over. While most of the time I feel more secure in God than a parachute, I tend to act like I have only as much faith in Him as I do a parachute. And I have never been sky-diving.
God works through our faith in mighty ways. When we trust Him, he does mighty works. Through faith, Jonathan killed twenty men. Through faith, Elijah prayed and stopped the rain for more than three years (1 Kings 17). By faith, Sarah gave birth well after her age. The list of things done by faith is too long to list here.
Life Application Jesus, help me to grow in my faith. Help me to allow you to work through me, instead of striving to do things for you. Help me to know you in a deeper way (Psalm 46:10). Mostly, help me to stop doing things out of pride.
-Tyler Galloway