IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - "NOTHING CAN HINDER JEHOVAH"

 Picture a solitary military outpost overlooking an arid and  craggy landscape. The Philistine soldiers posted there have found something of interest in the monotonous view: Two men,  Israelites, are standing in plain sight across the ravine.  The soldiers are amused-they see no threat there.  The Philistines have long dominated the Isreaelits, who cannot even get their metal farm implements sharpened without going  to their Phistine enemies for help.  Israelite solders are thus poorly  armed. Furthermore, these are only two men!  Even if they were armed soldiers, what harm could they do?  Sneering the Philistines call out: "Come up to us, and we will teach  you a lesson!" - 1 SAMUEL 13:19-23; 14:11, 12. 

In fact, a lesson was learned in the making, but those Philistines would find themselves on the receiving end of it.  The two Israelites ran down the ravine, crossedit, and then began climbing up the near side. It was so steep that they had to use their hands and feet, but they kept coming, scrambling over the rocks, heading straight toward the outpost!  (1 Samuel 14:13)  The Philistines could now see that the men taking the lead was armed; his armor bearer followed. But was hs actually leading a two-man attack on an entire garrison?  Was the man mad? 

He was not mad; he was a man of great faith.  His name was Jonathan, and his story is alive with lessons for true Christians today. Though we do engage in physical warfare, we can learn a great deal from Jonathan about the courage, loyalty, and selflessness that we need in order to build genuine faith. - ISAIAH 2:4; MATTHEW 26:51, 52. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Loyal Son and Brave Soldier

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