Perhaps God…

1 Samuel 14:6  “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor 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!”

Today’s verse may be one of my favorite Old Testament stories. The Israelite army were camped around a pomegranate tree instead of engaging the Philistines in battle. King Saul’s son, Jonathan, has had enough waiting around.

He goes to his armor bearer and hatches a crazy scheme; let’s go talk to these guys and see if they’ll invite us up to fight. I love the words here “Perhaps the Lord will help us…” There is no guarantee, no promise, just a belief that God can help two outnumbered guys with one sword between them defeat the enemy.

And that is just what happens! Jonathan and his armor bearer defeat so many guys that the rest of the Philistine army goes nuts! They start fighting each other and running. Soon Saul and his army got enough pomegranates that they chased the Philistines, dispatching them all along the way.

All because one person said, “perhaps God…”

What audacious thing has God put it into your heart to do? You have an idea, a feeling that you can do something great for God, but it is easier to hang out around the pomegranate tree than take a risk.

Go for it! Start that ministry God has been calling you to, get involved in some outreach or teach a class. Do what God has put in your heart! You have no idea how successful you may be. Remember, every great ministry started with “Perhaps God…”

Today’s Readings: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13