May 13

Come On Now, Let’s Go!

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 69:1-4 | 1 Samuel 13:23-14:52 | John 7:30-52 |  Proverbs 15:5-7

Today’s Scripture Focus:  1 Samuel 13:23-14:52

“Come on now, let’s go . . . Maybe God will work for us. There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it” (1 Samuel 13:6  The Message).  

Does God require a big army to accomplish his purpose?  Not at all.  “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 13:7 ESV).

Are you a risk taker? God often calls his people to move beyond their comfort zones to a place of risky faith. This is the story of how God used a risk-taking leader and one loyal armor bearer.

Saul’s son Jonathan was the risk taking leader. He said: “Let’s go . . . it may be that the Lord will work for us.” In some cases those would be words of presumption, but in Jonathan’s case, they were words of risk taking faith. He trusted that God would go with them and do amazing things.

We see the same risk taking faith as he seeks the Lord for confirmation. He says, “If they ask us to stay here, we will not go up to them.” But if they tell us to come up the cliff we will know that the Lord has given them into our hands. I don’t know about you, but going up a cliff to meet a waiting army seems like quite a dangerous strategy. But Jonathan trusted God that if that was the reply of the Philistines, God would give the army into his hands. What a risk taker for God!

But Jonathan wasn’t alone. He had a loyal, courageous armor bearer. I love his response to Jonathan’s risk taking faith: “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” That kind of loyalty and sacrifice is what any leader would love to find in those he works with.

Of course, God came through. They went up the cliff, and God threw the Philistines into confusion. God brought an incredible, miraculous victory.

Don’t be afraid to be a risk taker for God. Don’t be afraid to be a loyal, sacrificial armor bearer who follows the risk taker wholeheartedly. “It may be that the Lord will work for us.”

Almighty God, help me to follow and be willing to take risks of faith. Help me become a loyal follower who walks with courage and faith. Amen.