FAITH ACTS

1 Samuel 14:4-6,15

To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh.

The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba.

“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.

Sometimes we say we wait on God for somethings, however, it may be the other way round. 

God may be waiting for you to make your move of faith.

Jesus said:

 John 16:23-24

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

The disciples had been comfortable walking with the Messiah, however the Messiah was leaving the scene as a man to return to His original position in God the Father. They now had to learn how to ask Him in the Father to receive, and unless they do that they would not receive and have full joy.

The people of Israel from our text in the record of 1Samuel were in a dilemma. The Philistines had gathered in their multitude against them:

1 Samuel 13:5-7,16,19,22

The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven.

The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns.

Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul and Jonathan and the troops with them were staying at Geba in the land of Benjamin. The Philistines set up their camp at Micmash.

There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. The Philistines wouldn’t allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews.

So on the day of the battle none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, except for Saul and Jonathan.

Imagine that! No blacksmith in the whole of Israel, the Philistines had oppressed the Israelites to such an extent that they had no equipment for war, no honed swords, just that of Saul and Jonathan.

They needed to go to the Philistines, the enemy to sharpen their sword at a high price:

1 Samuel 13:20-21,23

So whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, they had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith.

The charges were as follows: a quarter of an ounce of silver for sharpening a plowshare or a pick, and an eighth of an ounce for sharpening an ax or making the point of an ox goad.

The pass at Micmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the Philistine army.

This is what we can call a hopeless situation. However, always remember that what the enemy uses as temptation, oppression or persecution can be God's opportunity for us to prove our faith.

Jonathan took the step of faith.

1 Samuel 14:1,4,6

One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.

To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh.

“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

That step of faith may be all you need for your breakthrough, to step out of your comfort zone of mediocrity, self-pity and uncertainties to seek God's favour as you take decisive actions.

Hannah did the same when she was tired of being humiliated for her childlessness!

Joshua and Caleb did the same when everyone else was afraid and did not know how to trust the Lord.

Remember what God told Moses when they reached the red sea:

Exodus 14:15

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

Remember that in the place of faith and faith actions like Jonathan took, their is also a place for foolishness, this we must avoid. Saul took such step in the same situation!

1 Samuel 14:24-26

Now the men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an oath, saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.” So no one ate anything all day,

even though they had all found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.

They didn’t dare touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.

What a foolish step, look at it, Jonathan didn't hear the command so he ate and had strength to fight!

1 Samuel 14:27-30

But Jonathan had not heard his father’s command, and he dipped the end of his stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt refreshed.

But one of the men saw him and said, “Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint.”

“My father has made trouble for us all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “A command like that only hurts us. See how refreshed I am now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.

If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more Philistines we could have killed!”

May we not walk by sentiment, but by true faith, hearing from the Lord and taking wise steps from His direction. This is true faith!

O Dear Lord, I believe, remove my unbelief!

Mark 9:23-24

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

You might be the one holding down your breakthrough, activate your faith today, LISTEN, then take action.

Help us Good Lord.

PRAYER

Loving Father, help me to hear You, let me be so conscious in Your Spirit in me that I will always know when to move forward. I activate my faith today by the power of Your Spirit, I will no longer remain in any form of bondage, ignorance or delay. I believe Lord, Lord take away any unbelief. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher.