[I Sam 14]
While Saul and his 600 men were hanging out in Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron, Jonathan tells his armour-bearer to come with him to the Philistines' garrison (like a military base) on the other side (the Israelites had been in battle against the Philistines for some time now) (vs 1-5) and this is what he says:
"...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" (vs 6).
And his armour-bearer says to Jonathan, "Do all that is in thine heart... Behold, I am with thee according to thy heart" (vs 7).
Jonathan explains that if the Philistines have them come unto them, that's a sign from the Lord that He will deliver the Philistines into their hand. This happens and in their first slaughter they kill about 20 men in a 1/2 acre of land (vs 14)! Dang. There was trembling in the host, in the field, & among all the people including the garrison and the spoilers. The earth quaked! The Word says 'it was a very great trembling' (vs 15).
Then Saul and his men looked and saw the Philistines- it seems they were so scared, they were fighting each other. It says 'the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another' (vs 16). Whew.
Well Saul and his men finally realize Jonathan and his armour-bearer are gone and the fighting amongst the Philistines is increasing as Saul talks to the priest... so he and his men go down to battle and- this is another really cool part, I think- the Hebrews that had been with the Philistines turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul & Jonathan! And not only that, but those that had before hid themselves in mount Ephraim when the Philistines first gathered together against the Israelites (13:5-6, I believe!) came out and 'followed hard after them in the battle' (14:22). Saweeet!
vs 23: 'So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven'.
How awesome is that? Our God is not limited! He just needs one or too willing hearts. I think about my brothers and sisters that seem to be fighting against God and his people right now, or the lost that will come to know Christ (the Hebrews that were with the Philistines). I think about the brothers and sisters I have (or me sometimes, I'm sure!) that are too afraid to stand up against the enemy and fight for the Lord, trusting in His mighty hand to save (the Israelites that had previously hidden themselves). For those Israelites and Hebrews, and for the enemy to be defeated in battle, one man stood up and decided to go straight down into battle and let God do what He does best. He wasn't foolish about it. He obviously had the Word of the Lord, a promise of deliverance. Don't we already have that promise? One of my biggest fears in sharing Christ or being some one great for him is my concern for those who I'd want to go with me. I ask the question, "What if I'm the only one? What if I'm crazy to the rest of the world and no one will go fight with me, or if I'm the only one who would open my mouth and share the gospel, or the only one that would start this or do that... No one will listen to just me. I can't do it alone." And yes, we DO need the body. We were made to need each other. We need encouragement from each other, we need prayer and fellowship, etc. But God does not need 10 people or 100 people. He needs 1 or 2 or more. And really, he doesn't even need us at all. But because Jonathan trusted in the Lord and gave himself to be used he was blessed and even delivered from death which could have been by the hand of his own father, King Saul (14:43-45). I want that. I want to please my Father, my King. I want to trust Him and show his power and might. I want to display his glory and fight for him.
I want to be a warrior. I know I'm a woman, but I want to be a warrior. My faith is not yet like Jonathan's or King David's faith, and my heart is not like David's heart. I am not wise like Solomon. I am not strong like Samson. I am not a lot of things. I am weak and often foolish. But I am willing. I am wanting. I am here to shine the Light. I am here for the kingdom. I am here and I want to bring as many home to enjoy the Lord as He and I can.
I want my husband and I to be Jonathan and the armour-bearer (My husband with faith as Saul's son, Jonathan, and I the armour-bearer, of course, submitted to his heart, and with him bearing his armour and being his helpmeet as well as fighting with him in battle).
I sure hope I have plenty of brothers and sisters with me in battle, but if that is ever not the case (God-forbid), I don't want to be the one doing nothing. While others are under the pomegranate tree, I want to be aware of the need, of the possibility of deliverance, of the promise of victory.
I know my King is mighty to save. I'm here with You in victory, Lord. Shine your Light and Save.
