For nothing restrains the LORD from saving

...... by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6). The speaker is Jonathan the son of Saul, the first Israelite King. He is speaking about he and his armour bearer going up against a Philistine garrison. It is clear they were outnumbered, in fact the two of them finished up slaughtering twenty of them (verse 14). You have to love Jonathan, bold, courageous for God, a man of faith. And, as we will read, a true and loyal friend to David, even after it became clear that it was David and not he, who would inherit the throne. In this incident he may even appear reckless, but as the Scripture says “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

There are two basic responses to life, fear or faith. And faith sees an opportunity in every trial, difficulty and temptation. Faith however is not foolishness, and Jonathan, though he is bold, seeks and receives confirmation of his proposed actions (verses 8 -12). And in the midst of this coronavirus crisis, the Lord is prompting me this morning to see opportunity in it. Up to this point I had largely seen this as an opportunity for the church to rise and shine (Isaiah 60:1), and it is. But if we are to understand the times and know what to do (1 Chronicles 12:32), then we need to understand that it is not just for the church that everything that can be shaken is being shaken, but it is also for the World. I mean in times of crisis we all, believer and unbeliever alike are likely to start to question ourselves, our priorities and start to ask the what the were and the why questions. In other words to become more open.

As to knowing what to do, it is the time to be bold, not reckless, but bold. We need to be praying for opportunities to speak to those who do not know Him, to speak the truth in love, to come along side those who are hurting and struggling. We need to demonstrate His love in tangible ways. As Heidi Baker says so often “love looks like something,” something tangible. Continuing the Isaiah 61 reference we read “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Father, as we continue to press into our assignment to humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14), Your light and glory will surly rise on us. Thank You that You are using these things to refine our characters. It must start with us Lord. Thank You for Your promise that the unbelievers will come to the light and the glory You are placing upon us. Help us not to miss the opportunities here, and give us a boldness and love that has been missing many times, for so long. Show us tangible ways to do this Lord, and we will give You the honour and the Glory and the praise in Jesus Name Amen