Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “I saw the soldiers leaving me. You were not here on time, and the Philistines were gathering at Micmash. I thought to myself, ‘The Philistines will come here and attack me at Gilgal, and I haven’t asked the Lord to help us yet.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”
1 Samuel 13:11-12 ERV
In the heart-pounding narrative of 1 Samuel 13, two men face a colossal Philistine army. Their paths diverged like rivers under a storm, revealing their contrasting responses to fear. One, Saul, the king, succumbs to fear and impatience. Jonathan, meanwhile, employed a radically different strategy: a leap of faith. Through their contrasting actions, we discover the secret to claiming true victory: a steadfast trust in God, not the flickering flames of fear or the hollow echoes of ritual. Likewise, it emphasised that victory can only be attained because God desires and promises it.
Samuel said he would meet Saul at Gilgal. Saul waited there seven days. But Samuel had not yet come to Gilgal, and the soldiers began to leave Saul. So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings.” Then Saul offered the burnt offering. As soon as Saul finished offering that sacrifice, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him. Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “I saw the soldiers leaving me. You were not here on time, and the Philistines were gathering at Micmash. I thought to myself, ‘The Philistines will come here and attack me at Gilgal, and I haven’t asked the Lord to help us yet.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”
1 Samuel 13:8-12 ERV
Confronted by a dwindling army and a prophet delayed, Saul’s soul crackles with panic. The enemy looms closer, his soldiers drift away, and he desperately grasps at straws. Mistaking religious acts for genuine faith, he hastens to offer a forbidden sacrifice. His actions reek of fear and misplaced reliance on ritual. This misstep, born from impatience and a distorted view of God’s grace, casts a dark shadow on Saul’s reign. While others, like Saul, may try to ‘lobby’ for victory by putting up several religious activities or gathering a large army, God has shown us many times from the Bible that all that is ever required is one who will trust Him and be fully obedient unto Him.
Meanwhile, Jonathan paints a starkly different portrait. Undeterred by the enemy’s might or the prophet’s absence, he chooses faith as his armour and shield. With only his faithful companion by his side, he plunges into the enemy camp. Relying solely on God’s unseen hand for protection and triumph. Fueled by unwavering trust and obedience, this audacious strategy ignites a divine cascade. It proves that true victory blooms not from earthly strength but from a heart fully surrendered to a higher power.
From these contrasting stories, we glean invaluable gems:
Patience is a warrior’s weapon: God’s time often outpaces ours. Saul’s strategy, driven by fear and impatience, ultimately compromised his faith. Remember, waiting on God strengthens our trust and allows His plan to unfold perfectly.
Shift the gaze: Saul focused on his dwindling army and rituals, obscuring his vision of God’s power. Jonathan, however, kept his eyes fixed on God’s promises and might. The true sacrifice we offer is surrendering our anxieties and clearing the path for God’s intervention.
Faith, the fear-slayer: Though fear may flicker, we can choose to rise above it by clinging to God’s unwavering promises. Jonathan’s daring leap stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith. It reminds us that even giants crumble before a heart surrenders to God.
Therefore, when the Bible says: “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” (Luke 12:32 AMPC), we can see that this is a call to trust in the LORD because of what He can do and what He has promised to do. It is an invitation to take our focus off the circumstances that may seem overwhelming or impossible and to put it on the God who is sovereign and faithful.
In conclusion, the tales of Saul and Jonathan echo across time, whispering an eternal truth: genuine victory resides not in outward displays or earthly prowess but in the depths of our trust in God. When we choose patience, relinquish our anxieties, and fix our gaze on His promises, we unlock the pathway to overcoming any obstacle. Like Jonathan, let us step into our battles with unwavering faith, knowing that God, in His perfect timing, will grant us victory beyond our wildest dreams.
