By Pastor Mark Quick
Many of us need a breakthrough of one kind or another, be it in our finances, relationships or ministry. A bold act of faith can often be the catalyst.
If asked to name a great Bible hero, I doubt many people would think of Prince Jonathan the son of Saul, Israel’s first king. The Word tells us in 1 Samuel chapters 13 and 14 of a time whenIsrael’s perennial nemesis, Philistia, came up against them in great force. They possessed thousands of chariots, horsemen and an innumerable number of infantry [1 Samuel 13:5]. The oppressed Israelites didn’t even have swords or spears. Their fighting men numbered only a few thousand. Such odds made combat seem suicidal, so they hid “in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes and in pits” [1 Samuel 13:6].
In the midst of this, one day Jonathan says to his armor bearer, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us” [1 Samuel 14:6]. Jonathan devised a sign, which basically went that if when they showed themselves to the Philistines if the garrison called to them “Come up here,” then Jonathan would know the Lord would give victory. He decided that if they said “Wait until we come to you,” then he would know to withdraw. The Philistines saw Jonathan and mocked and said, in the common vernacular, “Bring it on boys,” and so Jonathan brought it. He and his armor bearer climbed up the steep rocks and slaughtered 20 Philistines. Not only so, but subsequently God sent an earthquake and then confusion into the Philistine camp and the Israelites were able to route them.
This devotional is not an admonition to behave rashly or without good counsel or forethought. It is a challenge to get sick and tired of being sick and tired. I know what Jonathan was thinking, “Man, I’ve had all I can stand and I can’t stands no more!” But if you will allow me, I’d take a venture about what God was thinking when he heard Jonathan’s conversation and saw him step out and pick a fight, “Good gracious, it’s about time!”
I like what I once read about the great healing and preaching evangelist Smith Wigglesworth. It said that when Wigglesworth didn’t feel the Spirit of God moving in a service, Wigglesworth set out to move the Spirit.
Let us be prayerful, but also let us be active. Victories don’t come to those who won’t engage. Give, worship, pray and serve, maybe God will do something.
