One day, Jonathan, the crown prince, decided to attack a philistine outpost (call it a small barrack). Now he didn’t tell people he was going to do this. The prequel to the story was that, he had attacked another outpost previously, and his father had taken all the credit for his victory. (you know those bosses who you do all the work, the hog all the credit, classic example right now). So, he looked to his side and saw his armor bearer, and he was like, ‘yoh!, my guy, let’s go for these guys, perhaps God will give us victory’ (ever feel so convicted to do something outrageous that you are sure that it’s only God, who will make you victorious). The armor bearer responded to him,’ Sure, let’s go! (who are you telling, your ideas, your convictions, your faith bearing moments? Are they points of encouragement or heartbreak? Are they people you tell what you are going through and they ask you to call them every lunch time and they pray with you or are they people who validate the position you are in).

Jonathan’s recourse was one, if the philistines saw them coming, and the philistines run towards them, he would know that God had not given them that victory. However, if the philistines saw them, and asked them to reach the outpost, then they would know that God had delivered them into their hands (simple, straight forward logic). When the philistines, saw them approaching, only two men coming up a hill, they laughed (people will always laugh when you take that bold move of faith) daring them to get to the camp. Jonathan couldn’t help but smile at his armor bearer because he knew that victory was theirs.

The situation was not ideal. It’s not like Jonathan and his squire decided to pick on some guys just chilling at their barrack. Far from it. At this time, the philistines had completely won over the Israelites. They had taken all the Israelite blacksmiths such that no one could make any metal weapons or farm tools. There were on two swords in Israel, Jonathan’s and that of the King. If the Israelites needed to till the land, they would ‘hire’ from the philistines then return at day’s end. (I know you do not really relate. It’s not like you work at a place where you are not under staffed, overworked, underpaid, with crazy targets, colleagues you cannot really trust). Apart, from that, everyone in Israel was lost for spirit. The fighting men, were hiding in Caves, afraid and scared for their lives. The icing on the cake was the King, the boss man, daddy dearest, the man tasked with giving direction and hope. That man had gone to the countryside, he was sitting under a tree, surrounded by six hundred men. He was safe, the philistines would not get him here!!! 

Jonathan knew all this. He knew his situation back home and the situation the country had gotten to. However, all he focused on that God had delivered his enemies into his hands. They run over the outpost and killed 22 men. (Isn’t it amazing how two men can do such an amazing exploit despite the situation they were in. All because they choose to focus on the promise other than what was going on around them.) Everyone else had lost hope, except for Jonathan. For Jonathan’s steps of faith, was the beginning of the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery. Just them, the ground shook. (I be damned if you don’t take a step with nothing to go on apart from faith and the world around you isn’t moved) 

….tbc…