God and Faith that Saves

The Bible is full of heroes of faith in God who are not mentioned in Hebrews 11.  In some cases we are not even given their names, yet they remain worthy of our admiration and emulation.  The living God does wondrous things through people who trust and fear Him, and blessed are those who put their lives in His hands.

Jonathan and his young armour-bearer are a fine example of men who banded together in the fear of God.  They did not consider the "odds" of winning or defeat in battle; they were not buoyed by aspirations of fame nor hesitated at the potential personal cost.  1 Samuel 14:6-7 reads, "Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." ⁷ So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart."  Jonathan aimed to be more than a disruption to the encamped Philistines who oppressed Israel, for his aim was for God to save them and all Israel.  Nothing restrained God from saving by many or few, and the passage shows even two who trust Him is more than enough.

From a military standpoint, the Philistines had every advantage.  The Philistines were many, well-armed, had lookouts stationed, and held an elevated, fortified position.  Jonathan and the young man who held his armour were two men, and one had his hands full!  Jonathan looked at the situation, not with the eyes of a seasoned military veteran, but with the expectation God would save and with willingness to do his part.  The armour-bearer was pleased to follow Jonathan wherever he went, even if it meant clambering up a mountain and walking into an enemy encampment.  Instead of questioning or opposing Jonathan, the armour-bearer encouraged him to go for it--and he was all in with whatever Jonathan chose to do.

God won a notable victory that day by the hand of Jonathan and his young armour-bearer because they believed God was able to save, sought the LORD for the go-ahead, and boldly took action according to faith in Him.  They did not imagine themselves stronger, better equipped, or more skilled warriors than the Philistines who mocked them but believed their God would do a work to save.  The first half of 2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him..."  By God's grace these men were enabled to do what their king and army was unable to do.  These men weren't looking to be heroes, but were willing to be nameless and shameless in their faith in their God who is unrestrained to save.  May each of God's people be numbered among those who believe nothing restrains God by saving by many or few and do all that He puts in our hearts.