My Purpose, Victory and Destiny

Synopsis     1Sam 14:15-25     9/18/2018

Jonathan was King Saul’s son. He was general over half of the limited Israelite forces. In the battle of Michmash, he and his armor-bearer attacked a remote Philistine outpost after scaling a crag. This, in combination with a well-timed earthquake, set off a panic amongst the Philistine forces.

The main Israelite force under Saul was aware that there was confusion in the Philistine camp. So, Saul counted his army to see if the Israelite forces were engaged. He found that only Jonathan and his armor-bearer were missing.

At this point in the battle, Saul was uncertain what to do. So, he made an inquiry through the priest. However, it quickly became clear that the Philistines were in disarray. And so, he withdrew from the priest and immediately ordered his forces to attack. He even made a vow that no one should eat until all the day’s fighting was done.

The momentum of the battle shifted toward the Israelites’ favor. As a result, men who had previously deserted Saul returned to the battle. Also, Hebrew mercenaries who had been fighting for the Philistines, turned against them in the midst of the battle.

Saul’s Victory is Really God’s Victory

Saul’s behavior was uncertain and reluctant. His forces were down to only a few hundred men. So, he adopted a survival strategy. His goal was to “not lose”. As a result, he only engaged his forces when it seemed obvious that he wasn’t likely to lose.

Jonathan, however, was aggressive. He recognized that God controlled the outcome of every battle. So, from his perspective, engagement was the most important thing. He recognized that God could only work through him if he was willing to engage the enemy in his present circumstances.

My Purpose, Victory and Destiny

God created me with purpose. So, I have a purpose.

I can respond to this foundational belief in one of two ways. Either, I can play to “not lose” or I can play to win. I can wait for God to make circumstances so obvious that they cannot be misinterpreted. Or, I can meet the challenge of the present moment by engaging in God’s work, and then allowing God make clear the next step.

Of course, the danger in waiting is in the need for certainty. Because, the only time I will ever be absolutely certain I understand my circumstances, is after it’s too late to do anything about them.

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” James 1:22