Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily devotional where we are in our Summer Inspiration series. Today, we reflect on how faith - often imperfect faith - will lead us to attempt difficult things.
To watch this devotional, follow the link below:
‘Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”’ (1 Samuel 14:6)
I love this story of faith. Whilst King Saul, Jonathan’s father is making bad choices, his son, Jonathan, demonstrates true faith.
Jonathan’s daring is driven by faith that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving. He has a vision of God that released him from judging circumstances by his own inadequacies. However, Jonathan is not presumptuous; he says, ‘Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.’ His faith that God can do something doesn’t lead him to presume that God will do something! He’s prepared to act without perfect faith. We see the same thing, for example, in the account of Daniel where, even with imperfect faith, they are prepared to risk their lives for God:
‘“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”’ (Daniel 3:17-18)
Likewise, none will attempt difficult things for God if we are not prepared to act without complete certainty. If we wait to know that something is definitely going to succeed, I imagine that we will not achieve much!
Do you and I believe that God is omnipotent and merciful - that ‘Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few’? Are we also prepared to show our faith through risky action? Do you feel that God is leading you into a new venture? After prayer and seeking advice are you prepared to act without ‘perfect faith’?
I hope we can see that true faith will act as Jonathan and his armour bearer do in this account.
We can also apply this story to mission; do we believe that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving? Do we know that there is no one too lost for the gospel? There is no one too hard hearted for the mercy of God! If we believe this, are we prepared to act like Jonathan and his armour bearer and take that next step in faith?
Community group notes and study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday was entitled, Rejoice and take refuge. From Psalm 64, we saw that the reality of our Christianity is seen by what we rejoice and take refuge in - a Christian, above all else, rejoices (celebrates) and takes refuge (seeks salvation) in the cross.
Please read Psalms 64:10 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What are the various things that people put at the heart of Christianity and what you say is at the heart of Christianity and why?
How do you ‘rejoice’ in the gospel?
How do you take ‘refuge’ in the gospel?
What does Ephesians 6:11-15 say about how we are to protect ourselves with the gospel?
SIV - How is this text our message to those outside of faith?
SIV - How will ‘rejoicing and taking refuge’ in Jesus lead us into faithful mission?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend s
Comments