2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE STEP OF FAITH FRIGHTENS THE ENEMY
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Hebrews 11:1-6
“Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.”
THE STEP OF FAITH FRIGHTENS THE ENEMY
When believers exercise their faith concerning a specific matter and trust in God, He will be there for them. This was the case in the activities of Jonathan in this account. He was fully persuaded that the hand of the Lord would assist them. His armourbearer obeyed him. It was an encouragement to Jonathan. He was persuaded that the Lord would deliver the Philistines into their hand.
Jonathan and his armourbearer caused great fear in the enemy’s camp. As indicated earlier, every victory in a war begins with a heart that trusts in God. And as real combat follows, so too will success. This is godly “thinking outside the box.” In this case, it was God’s wisdom and not man’s imagination that gave victory to the two-man army. In the first battle, Jonathan and his armourbearer slew twenty men.
In their communication, Jonathan affirmed that the Lord had delivered the enemy into the hand of Israel. That initial success gave them more courage to fight on as they had all the signs of success. There was panic in the host of the Philistines, and they trembled and the earth quaked. This was an added supernatural assistance and confirmation that the power from above was there for them. The two were encouraged by the turn of events and did not turn back nor call for any assistance from his father’s men. The enemy was also confused and unwilling to offer any resistance because they thought Jonathan had many men behind him. Jonathan trusted the Lord to be with them.
The power of God is never limited. On the human plane, the situations may render us helpless. Without faith, we despair and give up. However, when we remember God in our hearts, it gives us courage in the time of our greatest need.
THOUGHT: Courage is a godly virtue for all who contend for the faith.
PRAYER: Father, may my eyes of faith see the invisible.