Does True Faith Take Risks? (Part 2)

Last week we established that true faith takes risks. It's helpful to understand that faith is different from presumption. The aim of risk-taking faith is always that God gets the glory, while the focus of presumption is self-glorification. John Piper's helpful distinction is one I love. He noted: "Is my motive in order to attract attention to myself as a risk-taker, and to get some honour for how valiant I am? Or is there a need right now that I've got to jump in to, and I'm not going to let fear stop me?" In exercising our faith and taking risks, we've got to always check our motives.

When you consider some of the valiant men and women in the Bible, you will discover that the risks they took were motivated by their absolute faith and confidence in God. That's why David as a teenager faced Goliath with a sling and five smooth stones; the three Hebrew children dared Nebuchadnezzar and his fiery furnace, knowing they may die, yet they trusted God to save. The Bible is filled with many such examples of risk-taking faith. These examples are for our instruction and encouragement. We have to put our trust in God, even if it means risking our lives, health, and freedom.

Jonathan (King Saul's son) was another example. The situation was dire. The Philistines had a strategic advantage over Israel. All the blacksmiths were in the territories controlled by the Philistines, so on the day of battle, the Israelite army did not have swords for battle. Only Saul and Jonathan had swords. (1 Samuel 11:19-22). How do you fight a battle without swords? You can understand why the Israelite army was fearful and could not advance against their enemy.

However, Jonathan got tired of the situation and took it upon himself to take a bold and very risky step without telling his father. He said to his 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). His armour bearer said to him, "I am with you heart and soul". They agreed on a sign that will confirm to them that the LORD was with them "If they {the Philistines} say, 'Come up to us', we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands". (1 Samuel 14:9-10).
Remember, only Jonathan had a sword, his armour bearer did not. They climbed up and went after the Philistines and in that attack, Jonathan and his armour bearer killed twenty men. That incident sent a wave of panic to the Philistine camp, "the ground shock. It was a panic sent by God" and the Philistine army "melted away in all directions." When King Saul eventually realised that something was happening, the Philistines were already "striking each other with their swords... on that day the LORD saved Israel". (1 Samuel 14:15-23).

A great victory for Israel started with the bravery, faith and the risk taken by one man - Jonathan. As we emerge from lockdown, I believe God is looking for the likes of Jonathan, who will be bold and motivated by absolute faith and confidence in God. Those who will trust God when the odds are stacked against them. Those who will not succumb to fear and threats from the enemy, those who will say and act knowing that the LORD can save by many or by few.

God is looking for the likes of the armour bearer who will say, we are with you "heart and soul". Jesus said, "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it" (Matthew 16:25, NLT).

These are the days when God is looking for courageous people, who will take the bold and risky step to take a stand against the godlessness we see in our society. Women and men who will raise a prayer banner against the fear and mental health crisis that is being exposed by this pandemic and trust God for supernatural breakthroughs.

What faith fuelled, God glorifying risk are you prepared to take in this session? As we climb out of lockdown, let's be bold, because we have a God that is more than able to send a shock wave to the enemy's camp. We will see the devil and his agents melting away in fear as our captain and King fights for us. Yet again, God will save us, he will save our towns and cities.