Courage is a very important character in the life of the follower of Christ. The world and our enemy has laden the Christian journey with traps to distract and deceive Jesus’ followers. Traps of worry, traps of fear, traps of wealth and such. Without courage in Christ, we cannot keep our heads and follow our way to Christ. In fact, the common adage says that courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the feat in spite of fear. And this is true. We don’t lose the threats of the traps, but we shift our focus to the One who will lead us through the field of fear. Shifting our focus is simple yet very challenging, if we have not yet fully entrusted our lives to Him.
Courage is the doorway for the extraordinary. Andy Stanley says this. A single act of courage can be the tipping point for something extraordinary to happen. God invites us to experience Him in ways we have not experienced before. He invites us to offer our lives to be used for His glory. And yet, between us and us being a vessel of Christ, lies the path of courage on which we must put a step of faith.
It’s rare that we find Jonathan, David’s friend on the limelight of a Bible story, yet in this particular passage in 1 Samuel 14. We see that Jonathan at the center of the action. We find Saul and his army resting in the camp, waiting for their next move. But Jonathan and his armor bearer slips out of the camp to go to the Philistine camp. The full story is in 1 Kings 14. And here are some of my insights that I drew from this story:
Jonathan had courage because he is founded on the truth
“Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (v. 6).
In the midst of the threat of the Philistine army, Jonathan didn’t lose the main truth: God is unstoppable. “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving.” It doesn’t matter if they were there just the two of them, or if they have the whole army over there. One truth was his solid foundation. God is unstoppable. Sometimes we mix up facts and truth. Yes, the challenge you have right now is as real as it can be. That’s a fact. But the truth is more powerful—the truth of God’s Word. No matter how grave your problem is, or how daunting the challenge to step up to a higher level of faith. God will see you through. Now, if you knew that God is unstoppable and nothing can hinder him. What’s stopping you from stepping out in faith?
Jonathan consulted the Lord before taking action
“If they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands” (v. 10).
Jonathan did not make any move without seeking God’s approval. And the approval that Jonathan sought was not a vague assumption of the Lord’s will, but it’s as clear as black and white. As followers of Christ we must seek God’s undeniable affirmation, and not just assume what you think God wanted you to do. Know this: God can and will mightily use you, but God doesn’t put up with double-minded people. Don’t just assume what God wants. Seek and discover what God wants. And He has given us the gift of prayer and the gift of His Word to know His will.
Jonathan acted on what he knew and believed
“In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre” (v. 14).
Discovering God’s will is not the end, but a means so that we can act upon it. Knowing that God has given the Philistines over to Jonathan, he began his descent and launched an attack on the Philistines. Many of us ask and eager to know what God’s will is. But are we prepared to act when God places it before us? And then we discover, most of the time the reason why we what to know God’s will is not because we are too ready to follow it, but it’s because we want to know if we are going to be safe. And there it is again, your old self who wants to be in control of your own life rearing it’s head. Didn’t the Bible say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God doesn’t only want you to obey him blindly, but God wants you to obey Him because He is in control.
Jonathan’s victory was only a part of God’s bigger plans.
“Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts, and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God … Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords … So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven. (v. 15, 20, 23)
Jonathan’s victory was only a portion of God’s overall plans to deliver Israel from the Philistine army. Jonathan killed twenty, God sent a panic that made the Philistines kill each other. Ultimately it’s not Jonathan whose the lone victor, but more was to be credited to God. Always remember that if God is bringing you success, it’s ultimately for His glory, and you’re just have to be thankful that He brought you in the ride. This perspective always leads a leader to a place of humility and awe of God’s offensive grace.
So what now?
1. Be founded on the truth of God’s word. Don’t believe the lies of the world and the enemy.
2. Consult the Lord before making a move. God has given us access through prayer and through His Word to discover His desire for our lives.
3. Act upon your godly convictions. Remember, a single act of courage can be the tipping point of something extraordinary.
4. Recognize your place in God’s bigger plans. Ultimately our victories should place us in humility and should bring God all the glory.
May we find the courage to respond to the call God has placed in our lives.
I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
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