Wednesday 27 February, 2013

23 A group of Philistine soldiers had gone out to the pass at Micmash. 14 1 One day Jonathan, the son of Saul, spoke to the young man who was carrying his armor. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go over to the Philistine army camp on the other side of the pass.” But he didn’t tell his father about it. 2 Saul was staying just outside Gibeah. He was under a pomegranate tree in Migron. He had about 600 men with him. 3 Ahijah was one of them. He was wearing a sacred linen apron. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub. Ahitub was the son of Eli’s son Phinehas. Eli had been the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. 4 Jonathan planned to go across the pass to reach the Philistine camp. But there was a cliff on each side of the pass. One cliff was called Bozez. The other was called Seneh. 5 One cliff stood on the north side of the pass toward Micmash. The other stood on the south side toward Geba. 6 Jonathan spoke to the young man who was carrying his armor. He said, “Come on. Let’s go over to the camp of those fellows who aren’t circumcised. Perhaps the Lord will help us. If he does, it won’t matter how many or how few of us there are. That won’t keep the Lord from saving us.” 7 “Go ahead,” the young man said. “Do everything you have in mind. I’m with you all the way.” 8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then. We’ll go across the pass toward the Philistines and let them see us. 9 Suppose they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you.’ Then we’ll stay where we are. We won’t go up to them. 10 But suppose they say, ‘Come up to us.’ Then we’ll climb up. That will show us that the Lord has handed them over to us.” 11 So Jonathan and the young man let the soldiers in the Philistine camp see them. “Look!” said the Philistines. “Some of the Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men in the Philistine camp shouted to Jonathan and the young man who was carrying his armor. They said, “Come on up here. We’ll teach you a thing or two.” So Jonathan said to the young man, “Climb up after me. The Lord has handed them over to Israel.” 13 Using his hands and feet, Jonathan climbed up. The young man was right behind him. Jonathan struck the Philistines down. The young man followed him and killed those who were still alive. 14 In that first attack, Jonathan and the young man killed about 20 men. They did it in an area of about half an acre.

I love this story – I am so impressed with Jonathon’s

absolute trust in God’s power to overcome the enemy and also with the armour bearer’s unquestioning followership. The scene is laid out clearly in this passage – the 2 men – leave the security of their camp to address the issue of the enemy. As they go Jonathon continues to declare the power of God over the enemy – and the unnamed armour bearer continues to follow his leader.

What a great reminder of what we are called to do. We are called to have absolute trust in God’s ability to overcome our enemies and we are wise to be like Jonathan and declare this over our situations.

We are also called to be good followers – like the armour bearer. Firstly, we follow Christ – with absolute certainty of His authority and His power. Secondly, we are called to follow our leaders – those whom God has given authority over us. Following, like the armour bearer – supporting and covering them, having their back.

Oh God – continue to work in me – fill me with your power so that I can be this kind of a follower. I choose to rely on Your power to deal with my enemies. I declare that (v.6)  “ nothing can hinder the Lord.” I put my trust in you Lord Jesus and follow you wholeheartedly.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn