The Johnathan approach - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 14:4-10,

"On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, '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.' 'Do all that you have in mind,' his armor-bearer said. 'Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.' Jonathan said, 'Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, "Wait there until we come to you," we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But 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."

Johnathan sought to attack Israel's enemies. He was concerned that he have the Lord's blessings in his effort, that the Lord would insure he be successful. "... that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands."

I note that in his efforts, Johnathan first had a desire to accomplish something. Although the account doesn't address the issue, it appears Johnathan took initiative to do something - he wasn't waiting for the Lord to act first, or to specifically direct Johnathan to attack the Philistines. He just took initiative.

His attack required him to leave his area of comfort in order to accomplish it. He wasn't waiting for something to be dropped into his lap. He left his comfort zone to go make something happen.

I also note that Johnathan was concerned to seek the Lord's direction by looking for specific responses from the Philistines. When he felt he had the Lord's blessing, he acted, he was "all-in".

I'm sure there are other observations that can be made from this account. Possibly there are some things for us to learn here in our desire to help the Lord build his kingdom.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com