DEVOTIONAL

Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them. 1 Samuel 14:8 NASBS

1 Samuel 14:8 NASBS

There comes a moment in every Christian’s life when they come to a crossroad and are faced with a difficult decision. The basis of this decision is whether or not they will be obedient to the word of God or they will acquiesce and follow the ways of man. That is exactly the decision that Jonathan had to make when the Philistines were attacking all of Israel while they were being held in a position where they could not move. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, heir to the throne of Israel, and his father had compromised the truth of God’s word for self prominence. Saul had walked away from fellowship with God after the great victory over the Ammonites, which he had achieved by the Lord because of his humility. But with the fame of being called a mighty warrior, he put his confidence in his army and now his fleshly hopes were failing him and the entire nation was frantic and in great fear. It was here that Jonathan seized the moment and said to the young man carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.”

Then Jonathan arose and said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them.” Jonathan was not ashamed to confront the enemy, as if he were saying, “I am a Hebrew, of the nation of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, and a child of Yahweh.” Jonathan knew the God whom he served, and his righteous anger burned within his heart at the blasphemous comments made by the Philistines concerning his God. So he made himself known to the enemy and laid his life down for the nation. The Lord saw the faithfulness of Jonathan and regardless of the inconsistency of his father He delivered Israel from their troubles. For behold, He Who keeps Israel will never slumber nor sleep.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we seek daily to follow in the footsteps of our Lord may His grace give us strength to do so. Though we are not justified by God by keeping His moral law, nevertheless they are a guide to our feet in the midst of darkness. We must yield to the obedience of His holy Commandments out of our love relationship with Him. The world should see that we are very different in our principles in all that we do. The scriptures tell us that we are His workmanship, created from the foundations of the world. With great love the Lord poured out the Holy Spirit into our hearts, therefore our lives are not our own, for we’ve been bought with a high price, much more, we have been rescued from the wrath to come. So then, having been saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, let us walk humbly before our God, making it known to the whole world that we are His servants.