Although an account just over three thousand years old, may we be encouraged by the story of Jonathan, his armourbearer, their steps of faith and the consequences of their actions. Today is a day for courage; in dependence upon the Lord, may we be willing to push the boundaries of our witness.

Hopelessness

The spiritual setting is not dissimilar to that currently in our nation. The people of God were quietened by the amount of opposition they faced (1 Sam 13:5). Some kept their heads down hoping the battle would pass them by, whilst others left the battlefield (1 Sam 13:6-7). Boundaries set by the Word of the Lord had not been kept by leadership (1 Sam 13:13), and so, authority had been lost. The king was present, and they had camped at Gibeah (Geba), which was a hill town for the priests. So, although governmental (Saul) and spiritual leadership (priests) were present, the people had neither direction nor strategy – or even hope.

Israel... with a history of victory and miraculous help from the Lord, had now suffered the reduction of their army..., because of man’s need to do something rather than wait on the Lord.

Israel, a covenant people, with a history of victory and miraculous help from the Lord, had now suffered the reduction of their army of three thousand battle-ready soldiers to six hundred, because of man’s need to do something rather than wait on the Lord (1 Sam 13:12). Not only was their power reduced, but they were discouraged and not equipped for battle (1 Sam 13:22).

Understanding the enemy

What about the enemy? The Philistines were at Michmash. Look around, they are back today.

A root meaning of Philistine/Philistia can be interpreted as 'to wallow', like a pig in its own mud. Our biggest wallowing is in our ‘pity parties’, when it’s all about me, poor me, why me? My needs. Society is often focused on self: what I need, what is good for me, what suits me; no absolutes, including truth, but instead what is right for me, what is my truth.

A root meaning for Michmash is ‘hidden’. The enemy keeps society engrossed on its needs for fleshly human solutions: whether that be vaccines for the pandemic, or workers to keep the economy going, or taxes to keep the government and welfare system afloat. This is what is in the open. It serves to hide our true needs – society’s need for God, and what God is saying to us. But it also serves to hide the underlying agenda of the devil’s plans, in their various guises.

Our fight is against the religion of self and the enemy’s hidden agendas, rather than some of the flesh and blood issues which fill the media output. We are not ‘unaware of his schemes’ (2 Cor 2:11) and should put on the full armour of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes (Eph 6:11).

This is a season for you and me to share with others what God has to say, to take the fight for souls to the enemy and trust the Holy Spirit to equip us for the task.

This is a season for you and me to share with others what God has to say, to take the fight for souls to the enemy and trust the Holy Spirit to equip us for the task.

Trusting in the Lord

Perhaps you do not feel properly equipped? Just look what God can do with the few! On the face of it, this was to be a battle between a large, mechanised army (1 Sam 13:5), and one armed with agricultural implements (1 Sam 13:21-22). It turned out to depend upon someone deciding to trust the Lord.

It turned out to depend upon someone deciding to trust the Lord.

Jonathan decided a response is needed to the enemy as people are losing hope and the leadership is silent (1 Sam 14:2). Someone needed to step past the inertia of doubt and unbelief and, in faith, be willing to take the fight to the enemy (1 Sam 14:1). Jonathan was the only one with a sword. He, together with his armourbearer, found himself in a vulnerable position at the foot of the pass, below an enemy on higher ground. Yet, the heart and soul partnership of others, such as that which Jonathan’s armourbearer gave him (1 Sam 14:7), can make up for natural limitations. Where is your support partnership when you feel vulnerable? If you don’t have such support, seek God for such a person or persons.

Stand up and stand out

Proverbs 3:6 says, “Commit your way to the Lord and He will guide your steps” (Pr 3:6). Despite overwhelming opposition, Jonathan acted in faith and the Lord backed him up (1 Sam 14:15).

We should be encouraged by this, as the Lord is looking for a remnant, those faithful few within His body, who will stand up and show themselves in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds (1 Sam 14:11). Are we willing to stand up and stand out? When we do, he will respond, and then marvel at the amazing things that will happen!

The Lord responded to this faith from just two men, and caused disarray and division amongst the enemy (1 Sam 14:15).

Those Israelites who had picked a side in battle based on self-interest, when they realised that God was at work, repented and took their stand against the enemy (1 Sam 14:21).

Those who had been fearful, hiding from the fight, found courage to rise and join in the battle (1 Sam 14:22).

Is it time for the remnant, those in the Church who stay true to God, to exercise faith and step into the spiritual battle in the nation and show ourselves, in all the areas where he calls us? If so, let us choose to do so and see what God will do.

Let our hearts be strengthened; do not consider a remnant only as something small in human eyes, but a seed of faith that the Lord can multiply!

Lewis Houston serves on Issachar Ministries' Outside In team