The Power of God

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 14:2-3, And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3 Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

The contrast between King Saul and Jonathan is very obvious when we read this passage. Jonathan, trusting the Lord, has moved against those that sought to oppress Israel, with the help of one man. King Saul, who was Israel’s leader and should have been doing something to stop this possible attack, sat under a tree, with about 600 men and a priest. However, in all of this, before we forget, we also have God. The one thing that does not readily stand out here is that it was God’s power and will that restrained the Philistines and kept them from attacking Saul and his few men. I believe that there will come a day, when we will stand before the Lord, and He will show us how often His powerful hand kept back many evil things that Satan and his demons desired to bring into our lives; things that He restrained, as He did in Job’s life. In Job 1:12 we read, “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’” Then again in Job 2:6 we again read, “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.’” In God’s restraint of the Philistines, we have the opportunity to see the character of both Saul and Jonathan, as one is moved to action by his faith in God, while the other sits idly, without knowing what to do, although he has all he needs to have victory, if he will only trust the Lord. Note that King Saul not only has more than one man, but he has a priest. He has the opportunity to call upon the Lord by way of this priest and seek God’s guidance and help. Instead, he chooses to sit and do nothing. I do not even want to begin to think about how many opportunities many of us have missed because we failed to go to the Lord in prayer and seek His guidance, or how many times we let opportunities pass because they appeared to be too big for us to accomplish, even though we knew God was nudging us to go and do it in His Name. When we take a closer look at the victory that is had by King Saul and his men, we see that it began with the simple faith and obedience of one man, Jonathan. Once he put feet to his faith, God’s power moved in a great way. In verses 15-16 we are told, “And there was trembling (terror) in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there.” In verses 20-23 we are also told, “Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.” The actions of one man, who trusted the power of God to see him through seemingly difficult task, not only had victory, but encouraged others to get involved. Lest we forget, Satan and his demons is an organized army. The church is supposed to be God’s army. Yet, we often experience defeat because we fail to go into battle together and spend far too much time fighting amongst ourselves over things that will be insignificant when we stand before our Lord to give account. The most important thing to note about this victory is read in verse 23, “So the LORD saved Israel that day”. Although Jonathan acted bravely and with great faith, it was God who delivered His people. Jonathan was the instrument God used to motivate an idle king and his people into action. What are we doing as individuals to encourage others to get into this spiritual war we are fighting here on earth? If nothing, what are we waiting for? Do we not know that we have the power of God in Christ Jesus who has already overcome the world (John 16:33)?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).