Come On Up!

But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.” 1 Samuel 14:10 (CSB)

1 Samuel 14 tells the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer, who boldly decided to take on the Philistines despite being greatly outnumbered. It is a powerful story of faith, courage, and trust in God's power, and it provides us with important lessons for our own lives.

First, we see the importance of taking risks for God's sake in this story. Jonathan and his armor-bearer faced overwhelming odds, but they were willing to trust God's power and take a chance. As Christians, we are called to live lives of faith and to take risks for the sake of the Gospel. This might mean stepping out of our comfort zones to share our faith with others, standing up for what is right even when it is unpopular, or making sacrifices for the sake of others. Whatever the case may be, we can draw inspiration from Jonathan and his armor-bearer and trust that God will be with us as we take bold steps of faith.

Second, we see in this story the importance of trusting in God's power rather than relying on our own strength. Jonathan and his armor-bearer were vastly outnumbered, but they knew that God was on their side. They were not relying on their own strength or skill, but on the power of God to accomplish great things. As Christians, we are called to trust in God's power rather than our own abilities. This means acknowledging our weaknesses and limitations and relying on God's strength to carry us through difficult times. When we trust in God's power, we can be confident that He will provide us with everything we need to accomplish His purposes.

Finally, we see in this story the importance of community and partnership in the Christian life. Jonathan and his armor-bearer worked together to accomplish their goal, and they were able to achieve far more than they could have on their own. As Christians, we are called to live in community with one another, to support and encourage one another, and to work together to advance the Kingdom of God. This means being willing to share our gifts and talents with others, to rely on others for support and guidance, and to be open to learning from others.

In conclusion, the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14 provides important lessons for our lives as Christians. It challenges us to take risks for the Gospel's sake, trust in God's power rather than our own abilities, and live in community and partnership with one another. As we seek to follow Christ in our own lives, may we be inspired by the example of Jonathan and his armor-bearer and trust that God will be with us as we seek to live lives of faith, courage, and boldness.