Armor-bearers

“And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” 1 Samuel 14:7 ESV

Israel was at war against the Philistines. The battle wasn’t going well. So, rather than stay with his father, Jonathan took his armor-bearer and approached the Philistine garrison without telling anyone. “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.’”

Tactically, Jonathan’s move wasn’t all that smart. Yet Jonathan stepped out in faith. He knew that with God on their side, headcounts were irrelevant. In the end, Jonathan and his armor-bearer wiped out some twenty men in all. Panic broke out in the Philistine army. Saul’s lookouts saw the vast army of Philistines “melt away in every direction” (verse 16). God honored Jonathan’s faith and delivered the enemy into his hands.

You and I could use friends like Jonathan’s armor-bearer. Friends who have our backs. Friends who will help us carry the load. Friends who are committed to helping us fight the enemy. Friends who support us during times of adversity. Friends who will help us fasten on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) and take up the shield of faith with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Friends who are alert to the devil’s tactics and who will persevere in prayer on our behalf.

Above all, I want to be that kind of friend. A friend who will encourage others to step forward in faith and to trust the voice of God whenever and wherever He leads.