Worship
Scripture
I was the last man standing. Missiles of foam dodgeballs bombarded me, only to be escaped by my superior athleticism. The battlefield was third-grade jailbreak dodgeball. The game is played as traditional dodgeball with one caveat: If you hit the backboard on the opposite end of the gym with a dodgeball all your eliminated teammates could rejoin you in battle. A jump, dive, and barrel roll later, I was popping to my feet and unleashing a laser straight into the backboard. As the foam exploded against the fiberglass cheers erupted from the sidelines, through one man many were set free.
As I read through 1 Samuel 14 I couldn’t help but be inspired by Johnathan’s declaration of battle to his armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go cover to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
My reply would have echoed Johnathan’s armor-bearer, “I’m with you heart and soul!” Put the dodgeball in my hands, I’m ready for battle! In some instances, the simplest of reminders can have the most profound of impacts on our faith journey. Today, the reminder is simple: No battle is too big for the Lord. There is nothing we face that He can’t overcome. No healing He can’t perform, no family He can’t restore, no child He can’t bring back. Our God saves, by many or by few.
I’d be short-changing you not to bring our eyes back to the full picture as we wrap up. Just one chapter prior, Saul is given a chilling rebuke from God, “But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
Try to stomach hearing those words from God. In the next chapter his son Johnathan is willing to risk his life for obedience, and a victory for the entire army follows his bold steps and faith.
In the battle of faith, our greatest weapon is obedience to God. Faith in the battle is being obedient to God even when it looks impossible. As we’ve seen, when we’re willing to live in obedience, He’s able to bring victory, whether that be by many, or few.
Keep in the fight today!
Prayer
HONOR GOD
John 3:16 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God has given us new life in Christ. Take a moment and thank Him for this incredible gift!
ASK GOD
John 3:21 NIV
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Living by truth brings light and sight. Ask God to give you a heart for His truth. What do you need to confess to Him? Where do you need His help?
SUBMIT TO GOD
John 3:18 NIV
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Submit your heart to God today and live free of condemnation!
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank you for these passages that illustrate what the Jews went through in order to stay pure in your eyes. Thank you that we do not have to bear the same burdens. Thank you for making the yolk of Christ light and perfect. Lead us to seek closeness and “cleanliness” in your eyes that we may honor Christ and his sacrifice he made for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.