The Jonathan Way

1 Sam.14:⁶ “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armour bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

We are truly grateful to God for all that He is doing in us and with us. Just remain plugged into God and your fruit will be undeniable, in Jesus Name. Over the next few days, we will be studying the Bible character called Jonathan. Jonathan probably would not make many people’s top ten Bible characters list. However, there is so much to learn from Jonathan. The name Jonathan means the gift of Jehovah. There are at least seven Jonathan’s in the Bible, but the first mention of the Jonathan we are studying in the Bible is in 1 Sam.13:2-4 (please read). In this passage, we are introduced to Jonathan as a courageous and victorious army commander.

Jonathan was a solid leader who knew who he was, operating in his giftings, and brought victory to Israel by winning several wars. He was tall, well built, dashing, gifted, and strong. Please read 1 Sam.14:4-7, it is the story of Jonathan’s display of rugged faith and courage and how God responded by giving him victory. Jonathan was not the typical king’s son, spoilt at the palace. He was the king’s son that was a warrior and commanded authority. He had an armour bearer who trusted his judgment completely. In times of war, when a decision must be made that can change the course of the battle, many people will prefer to wait for a priest to inquire of the Lord or send for a seer. Not Jonathan – he chose to fall upon the enemy camp instead.

In simple terms, Jonathan did heads or tails, “heads – God will give us victory, tails – God will give us victory!” (1 Sam.14:6 paraphrased). Jonathan said to his armour bearer, “let us go, perhaps God will give us victory.” He did not say, ‘I am going to wait until God opens a door’. Jonathan chose to knock down the door and perhaps God will empower me to break it down completely. When it is time to make a move for God, some people will insist on waiting on the Holy Ghost to come upon them. I read a book some years ago and Smith Wigglesworth said he does not wait for the Holy Ghost to move him. He moves the Holy Ghost. He said he does wait for a storm to happen; he is the storm so he stairs up a storm. You already know it is God’s will, do not just sit down there waiting for heaven to send help – ‘my helper’. This “helper prayer” sometimes is an issue because it is raising a generation of people that believe that until something happens from the outside, they cannot fulfil the destiny that God has put on their inside. Not Jonathan!

Prayer: Jesus, I put my trust in You. I will not fail because You never fail, in Jesus Name. Amen!