1 Samuel 14
This chapter in 1 Samuel should remind us of what it means to have faith. Throughout the chapter we see faith from all sides. Jonathan had faith as he went to the Philistines garrison (which is a military outpost), with only prompting of “Well, God Has gone before others before…”. We see faith in the armor bearer who followed Jonathan into battle while also fighting on his behalf.
The armor bearer’s response to Jonathan’s idea was this in verse 7 “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” Jonathan was filled, compelled and motivated by God to continue to press forward in conquering the Philistines. Jonathan wasn’t given a plan from God, words across the sky, or a “sign”. He instead took it one step at a time, receiving confirmation from those he trusted, and had faith that God was going before him.
Do we have the kind of faith to act? That God can and will restore the world to His perfection? Do we have faith to follow? Trusting that God is moving and working through others for the sake of the mission?
This chapter continues through the battle to show great victory for Jonathan and the nation of Israel, but it’s not over yet. Now King Saul takes over and attempts to finish the battle against the Philistine army, but places a curse that no one should eat before evening until the battle is over. At first, this sounds very spiritual, but in reality it is working against the faith we saw in the first part of this chapter. If Saul carried the same faith as his son Jonathan, then he would be relying on God to bring justice upon the philistines. In relation to fasting, it is good to give up something for a greater purpose; to know God more, to show the deep hunger we have, to rely on Him to sustain and fulfill. When we go into fasting with personal glory in mind (as Saul does here), then it is an act of work and not an act of obedience or glory.
Where are you tempted to do things for your own personal glory or gain? What would it look like to increase faith in what God is working in your life and decrease the desire for personal gain?
