Mon.’s Devo - God Will Use the Few

Read: 1 Chron. 9:35-39; 1 Samuel 13 & 14
Saul is a complex character. As he looks for Samuel to come and offer the sacrifice because his army is slipping away he grow impatient and fearful. He failed to keep the command Samuel had given him to wait for him. Instead he did the job of the prophet and priest which was not his office. If he had waited for Samuel, God would have established his throne over Israel forever. We would be saying “the throne of Saul” instead of “the throne of David”. Saul was worried about only having 600 men left and yet God saved the nation with only 2. Jonathan and his armor bearer went out with the zeal of the Lord and watched the Lord fight their battle for them.
All of the battles in the Old Testament are to teach us how to fight in the spirit. Jonathan was moved by the Holy Spirit to challenge the enemy. He waited for God’s okay and attacked boldly. When God is on our side it doesn’t matter what the odds are. Jonathan and his armor bearer killed 20 men themselves then God stepped in and confused the enemies camp so much that they started fighting each other. Saul saw the enemy melting away in every direction. He got involved and even deflectors turned and fought for Israel. This is what happens when we fight under the command of the Holy Spirit; the enemy will melt away in every direction and the prodigals will return.
Saul was very superstitious. He made a rash statement and would not allow his army to eat till they had won. That would be like sending a football team out to play the Superbowl without giving them food that day. When they did win and Saul saw the people eating the meat with blood in it he was upset they were breaking the law. He never took responsibility for his own actions. When Saul asked if they should chase the Philistines, God wouldn’t answer, so Saul looked for someone to blame. He was willing to kill his own son just to be right. Wisdom needs to reign over the law. Jonathan was saved by his own men. Saul was wishy washy in his allegiance to the Lord so his judgments were shaky.
Lord, raise us up to be a people who are steadfast and unmovable in our walk with you. Let us not compromise the truth and our faith.