And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven. (1 Sam. 14:20-23)
As Jonathan the son of Saul led a successful incursion against the Philistines, God confused the battle to the point that the Philistines were fighting themselves even as the Israelites began their campaign. Even those Hebrews who had fought with the Philistines separated themselves and returned to the armies of Israel. Those who had fled and hid from the onslaught of the Philistines now returned and joined in as Israel overcame the Philistines with a great victory. God had delivered Israel at the hand of Saul and Jonathan.
Though Saul would later make a mess of this victory, Jonathan began the campaign by infiltrating the camp of the Philistines and relying on the LORD to give him success. The LORD was with him and his initial efforts to overcome the Philistines led to confusion within the camp and the Philistines not only fought with each other but the Hebrews within their camp turned against them even as the Israelites came upon them and gained the victory. God had turned the tide and given Israel the day, allowing them to win over their enemies and once again conquer the land which God had given them. Even the men who had initially fled from the Philistines and their chariots returned and fought hard in the battle.
Those who are born again often see our struggles in this world as overwhelming. Knowing that the LORD has already fought the battle for us and has given us the victory does not seem to be much help when the lost person across from us seems to be losing their battle with their sin and their choices. We must rest in Him and wait for His timing, all the while praying and seeking His counsel, for His Word never returns void, and the harvest will bear fruit according to His will. We should remain faithful, keep doing all that He has called us to do, and stand still and see the hand of the LORD in victory. God will bring about all He has promised in our missions, our ministry, and our discipleship, if we are obedient and faithful to follow Him. When we see Him work, we get in on what He is doing, and press forward, knowing that we shall be strengthened and encouraged along the way, by Him who has already purchased us through His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Those who are His people are to stand strong in His might and not our own, even as we continue the work which He has called us to do to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach the Word until He is done with us. The battle is the Lord's.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Though Saul would later make a mess of this victory, Jonathan began the campaign by infiltrating the camp of the Philistines and relying on the LORD to give him success. The LORD was with him and his initial efforts to overcome the Philistines led to confusion within the camp and the Philistines not only fought with each other but the Hebrews within their camp turned against them even as the Israelites came upon them and gained the victory. God had turned the tide and given Israel the day, allowing them to win over their enemies and once again conquer the land which God had given them. Even the men who had initially fled from the Philistines and their chariots returned and fought hard in the battle.
Those who are born again often see our struggles in this world as overwhelming. Knowing that the LORD has already fought the battle for us and has given us the victory does not seem to be much help when the lost person across from us seems to be losing their battle with their sin and their choices. We must rest in Him and wait for His timing, all the while praying and seeking His counsel, for His Word never returns void, and the harvest will bear fruit according to His will. We should remain faithful, keep doing all that He has called us to do, and stand still and see the hand of the LORD in victory. God will bring about all He has promised in our missions, our ministry, and our discipleship, if we are obedient and faithful to follow Him. When we see Him work, we get in on what He is doing, and press forward, knowing that we shall be strengthened and encouraged along the way, by Him who has already purchased us through His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Those who are His people are to stand strong in His might and not our own, even as we continue the work which He has called us to do to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach the Word until He is done with us. The battle is the Lord's.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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