PERHAPS!

"One day Jonathan said to his armour bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing. ² Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. ³ Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord who had served at Shiloh. No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. ⁴ To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. ⁵ The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. ⁶ “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his amour 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!” ⁷ “Do what you think is best,” the armour bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” ⁸ “All right, then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. ⁹ If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. ¹⁰ But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.” ¹¹ When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” ¹² Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” “Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armour bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!” ¹³ So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour bearer killed those who came behind them. ¹⁴ They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre."
~1 Samuel 14:1-14 NLT

This is an amazing story involving the then king, King Saul's son Jonathan. In a daring scouting expedition Jonathan leaves the rest of the Israelite army in the camp and heads off with his armour bearer to spy on the Philistine camp. At least that is what it first appears that Jonathan is up to but the one who would become like a brother to his father's successor has more in mind that a simple "LOOK and SEE"!

As they approach the Philistine outpost Jonathan reveals his true intent behind sneaking off and leaving his father and the rest of the army that were camped out by the pomegranate tree. Check out what he says to his sole companion on this journey:


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


You know, every time I read these words I cannot help but think how Jonathan's words bear witness to an incredible faith! And the word that most clearly defines his trust and faith is not one that many of us would first think of as a word to describe faith! The word Jonathan uses is "PERHAPS"!

Now, I think for a moment his armour bearer, or maybe I should say IF I was his armour bearer, I might have thought to myself... "Wait a minute here! I am following you into the enemy camp and the best you can do is say that perhaps God will help us battle our mortal enemies!" After all it was just the two of them and the Philistine army was huge and made up of many battle tested warriors. PERHAPS the Lord will help us?

Now, that may be what I would think and maybe that simply shows off my lack of faith in my own world (thank God we only need the faith of a mustard seed to do great things for Him and His Kingdom), but check out the response of the one who journeyed out with his master:


"Do what you think is best," the armour bearer replied. "I’m with you completely, whatever you decide." ~1 Samuel 14:7 


WOW! What a statement of trust not only in Jonathan but in their God! I'm with you completely! In other words, let's DO this thing! All in connection with the word PERHAPS!

You know, as I read this once again and I reflect on the trust and faith of these two brave warriors and faith-filled men of God I am reminded just how sometimes we just simply have to move forward in our faith on the idea that PERHAPS God will be with us!

You see, sometimes in the journey of life and faith what happens to us all is we get stuck in life because we want a SIGN from God before we take a step forward. But Jonathan and his armour bearer didn't wait for God before stepping out in faith, they trusted their God and watched for His movement as they went along. They stepped out but they also kept their eye on God and looked for Him to lead as they stepped up and stepped out.

You know, sometimes in the journey of life and faith what we simply need to do is live by the "PERHAPS" model of faith and trust. And then as we step out and move forward we need to keep a keen eye out for the leading of the Lord so that we stay connected to His plans and purposes for our lives!


Because PERHAPS today is the day that He wants to lead you and I on the adventure of a lifetime!

Rev Trev