IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN -Conclusion of Loyal Son and Brave Soldier

 Jonathan evidently  knew his God well.  He no doubt knew that in the past, Jehovah had helped his people defeat enemies who vastly outnumbered them.  Sometimes he even  used a single individual to bring victory.  (Judges 3:31; 4:1-23; 16:223-30)  So Jonathan knew that it was neither the numbers nor the strength nor the weaponry of God's servants that mattered; it was their faith.  In faith, then, Jonathan had let Jehovah determine whether he and his armor-bearer should attack the outpost; he chose a sign by which Jehovah could signal approval.  With that approval, Jonathan fearlessly forged ahead. 

Note two facets of Jonathan's faith.  First, had profound awe for his God, Jehovah.  He knew that God Almighty does not depend on human strength in order to accomplish his purposes, Jehovah delights in blessing faithful humans who serve him.  (2 Chronicles 16:9)   Second, Jonathan sought evidence of Jehovah's approval before he took action.   Today, we do not seek supernatural signs from our God in order to vilify that he approves of our courses of action.  With the inspired Word of God at hand, we have all we need in order to discern God's will.  (2 Timothy 3:16. 17)  Do we consult the Bible carefully before making important decisions?  IF so, we show that we care about God's will more than our own-much like Jonathan.

 

So the two men, warrior and armor-bearer, charged up the steep slope toward the outpost. The Philistines, finally realizing that were under attack, sent men out to fight off the two invaders.  The Philistines had not only the superior numbers  but also the advantage of holding the higher ground, so they should have been able to make short work of two attackers.  But Jonathan struck down one soldier after another. Behind him, the armor-bearer put them to death  In just a small patch of ground, the two men dispatched 20 enemy soldiers!  And Jehovah did something further.  We read: "Then terror spread in the field camp and among all the people of the outpost, and even the raiding parties were terrified.  The earth began quaking, and a terror from God ensued." - 1 SAMUEL 14:15.

From a distance, Saul and his men watched as chaos and panic spread amont the Philistines who even began to turn against one another.  (1 Samuel  14:16,20)  The Israelites took courage and attacked, perhaps  taking weapons away from the fallen Philistines.  Jehovah gave his people a great victory that day. And he has not changed since those exciting times.  If we today put faith in him, as did Jonathan and his unnamed armor-bearer, we will never have reason to regret our choice.  - MALACHI 3:6; Romans 10:11.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - "It Was With God That He Acted"

From the jw.org publications