FULLY INVESTED IN THE MATTER

FULLY INVESTED IN THE MATTER!

1 Sam 14:6-7

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

While King Saul lounged under a pomegranate tree with 600 men, Jonathan, his son, went out looking for a skirmish with the Philistines. Jonathan took with him an unnamed soldier who carried his equipment. It is this unnamed soldier that attracts my attention and my admiration today because he said “I am with thee!” It meant that he was fully invested in the matter. He would win or lose, live or die, as a result of his decision.

1. There is a worthy cause!

The enemy must be engaged and there can be no victory while shading oneself under a pomegranate tree. Too many believers in the church fail to understand the insidious nature of our enemy. There is no negotiating with him and there are no treaties he will keep. His plan is total conquest of our soul.

2. God is not limited by numbers!

A garrison was a fixed and fortified military position, a command post. Jonathan's resolution arose from the strong conviction that Israel was the nation of God, and possessed in Jehovah an omnipotent God, who would not refuse His help to His people in their conflict with the foes of His kingdom, if they would only put their whole trust in Him.

3. There is a fine line between faith and foolhardiness!

It’s not our methods but our Master that determines the difference in our conflicts. God has commanded and allowed some very unorthodox methods in times past. Joshua marched around Jericho and shouted. God knocked down the walls! Gideon’s vast army was reduced to just a few men who did nothing but break pitchers, hold their lamps high and blow trumpets. God defeated the enemy while Gideon held the light. Jonathan believed that there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

4. Substantial victories require substantial risks!

See the unnamed soldier servant crouched beside his captain? He makes a bold declaration risking his very life in the outcome of what might be a foolish venture. He says behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

In every church there are those who have pushed all their chips to the center of the table waiting on the turn of a card. What would we do without those who were fully invested in the matter? Still others fold and abandon the game. Will you say to your Master “Lord, I am with you according to your heart?”

Dear Lord, the commitment is mine to make. The outcome is yours to give. I trust you, Lord. I am fully invested in the matter. AMEN