Courage to Act in Times of Fear
Pastor Bryan Hudson
Recorded Sunday, April 11, 2010
New Covenant Church & Ministries
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BRIEF NOTES:
1 Sam 13:1-15
Saul made a strategic and tactical error that put his army at a fearful disadvantage
Strategic defined: relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving
Tactical defined: Done or for use in immediate support an operation.
If the strategy is wrong, human tactics won't win the war.
There's a Saul lurking in us. It is the problem of not seeing the big picture, but acting in the moment and breaking protocol to achieve a short-term result.
1 Sam 13:7-14
There is also a Jonathan lurking in us: Those who see the big picture and are willing to trust God to take bold action in his name.
A new chapter and a new day
1 Samuel 14:1, One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.
Everything happens on a day. One day Jonathan looked around at men quaking in fear and thought, "I'm going to reject the spirit of fear and believe God for something miraculous and amazing."
Jonathan took action when Saul and Israel were immobilized by fear and apathy.
Jonathan and the armor bearer decided that taking a chance was better than doing nothing. They placed their confidence in God realizing that that God could work as through a few people as through many.
Jonathan had a "Partner in Courage"
1 Sam. 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." 7 "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."
An inspired Israelite army routs the Philistines who have been confused by the Spirit of God;
1 Sam. 14:15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.
