Serviceable Soldiers

SERVICEABLE SOLDIERS

1 Samuel 14:1,6

Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

A chocolate soldier is only good to be observed or to be devoured. They will never do any good to help bring about a victory.

In the heat of the battle, a chocolate soldier will just melt.

When it is a time of truce, or the battle is on hold, it is easy to be a chocolate soldier. Sweet and smooth; admired by the multitudes. But let the battle get fierce and these guy don't have the metal to confront and conquer the enemy.

Look at some of the chocolate soldiers throughout the Bible:

Baalam

Peter (before Pentecost)

Demas

The 10 Spies

2 Tim. 2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

In 1 S. 14:1-14 we read of how Jonathan and his armorbearer went into the enemy territory and challenged them.

The previous chapter tells us that the Philistines had kept the Israelites from having swords or spears. Only Saul and Jonathan were privileged to own these weapons.

Saul and 600 soldiers (the chocolates) were hid out. They were not about to step out while the enemy was nearby.

We do not know the name of this armorbearer, but I really believe that he serves as a type of the Holy Spirit in this story. The word armorbearer in the hebrew language speaks of one who bears, carries, holds up, lifts up. The same word carries the connotation of one who pardons, stirs up, and magnifies.

That is exactly what the Holy Ghost does for us. He is the third person of the Trinity. When we invite Him, He will be there every step of the way in our trials and troubles.

Jonathan moved with a "maybe" in the will of God, and the Holy Spirit accompanied him to a great victory.

I. The Mentality of a Valiant (Brave) Soldier

A. He has a Spirit of Advancing in Faith

Jonathan decided that 2 swords were better than no swords.

He used what was at hand and left the results in the hands of God.

B. He Recognizes the Need of Separating from the Others

This was not desertion

You can't just hangout in the company of the defeated. (that can be contagious)

C. He has at his side the Keeper of the Arms

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

II. Be a Soldier willing to Take the Challenge

Jonathan came up with a premeditated plan

He did not back up by the threat of the enemy

He fought the battle in the name of the Lord

III. Unity in Battle

Jonathan and his armorbearer fought side by side all the way through

IV. God will even Order His Creation to Defend His Own.

vs. 15 tells of a great earthquake that God sent

The Philistines then began fighting one another

V. The Chocolate Soldiers Recognize that Someone Broke Ranks and God Had Honored Them

vs. 17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

Even the cowards realized that this was not just happenstance.

God had intervened because one person answered the "maybe" of the will of God.