Being an Armor Bearer

In 1 Sam 14, we read about a tremendous act of faith. The Israelites, led by King Saul, are under attack by the Philistines. The enemy is huge, undefeatable and seemingly unending. In fact, the size of the enemy is so large that most of the Israelites are hiding under trees, in holes or in caves. Some even turn to join the Philistines, recognizing that their fate is death or capture and so try to get on the Philistines good side.

Jonathan, son of King Saul, and his armor bearer see the same thing that everyone else does – an army that cannot be overtaken by human effort, but Jonathan recognizes that God can defeat this army, no matter how great it is. He knows that God can defeat this army with another army that is as large as the enemy or with just a couple of men. So he determines to go in and fight them himself. He turns to his armor bearer and asks him to go with him. As the two of them are approaching the Philistine army, Jonathan comes up with a plan. The plan is risky and seemingly could end in death. The plan is for the two of them to show themselves to the enemy and do whatever they are told but that when the enemy was near, they would fight. The armor bearer’s response is that he will follow Jonathan with all his heart and soul.

How much love does the armor bearer have for Jonathan that he would give his own life and die with him? How much faith does the armor bearer have in Jonathan that he would follow him wherever he goes, trusting that Jonathan would lead him well? We know nothing about this armor bearer. Was he big or small? Black or white? Young or old? God has chosen not to tell us any other information about this amazing man because He doesn’t want us to categorize him in anyway. He wants us to see his actions and his heart and nothing else.

How amazing would it be if the church was filled with armor bearers for Jesus?! Imagine having a church filled with people who completely trusted Jesus in their daily battles. We fight an enemy that is too great for us to overcome, one that cannot be defeated by human hands. We look at the enemy and tremble and hide. Do we love Jesus as much as the armor bearer loved Jonathan? Are we ready to stand with Jesus even against an enemy that seems undefeatable? Are we ready to follow him no matter where he goes? Even if it looks like certain death? Do we really have faith that Jesus can do what he says he can and that he is leading us in the best way? Do we believe that those steps of faith that Jesus is calling us to take, which seem foolish by the world’s standards, will be guarded by him as well as guided by him?

See what happened to Jonathan’s armor bearer. Because he stepped out in faith and love and followed Jonathan with all his heart and soul, he was able to help his master overcome the enemy and showed the world how great his God is. Let’s be Jesus’ armor bearer. Let’s allow our love for him and our trust in him to overcome the fear we have and difficulties we might face. By doing so, we will also get a glimpse of the greatness of God and in the process help our master overcome the enemy and be a witness to God.