THE K I N G ’ S B US I NE S S
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over.” It has a cheery sound. His heart was like that of Asa (2 Chron. 14:11). “ And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said, Lord it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multi tude. O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee.” Paul echoes the same buoyant sound, “ If God be for us who can be against us?” The armor-bearer catches the spirit of his leader and says, “ Do all that is in thine heart.” He believes that God has stirred the heart of Jonathan. We sing, “Where He leads me I will follow” , but, alas, so often we do not mean it. It is easy to sing, but not so easy to dare and do. There was method in this daring; a plan of action. It was to be an offen sive or defensive as the Lord should de cide for them. Guidance by a sign was wise. David so acted (2 Sam. 23:2-5). God guides with His eye. He guides by the Holy Spirit through His Word. “ As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). (3) THE IRRESISTIBLE ASSAULT, vs. 11-13. Climbing on their hands and feet, through the sharp crags, these two ra diant, daring men stood in the open, waiting God’s decision as to the next move. “ In the open” ! It sounds good— aboveboard— that is where God needs men today. Don’t count the enemy; count on God. Don’t dodge the issue; do the right.’ Dare to stand alone and go when God gives the signal. Jonathan and his helper drove ahead, slaying as they went. “ The Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.” “ One shall chase a thou sand and two shall put ten thousand to
nor worship the golden image which thpu hast set up." It takes moral courage to stand for the truth. To the men and women of undaunted courage, fearless faith and persistent perseverance we owe, under God; the possession of the Bible and the privileges of the church. It takes men like Nathan (2 Sam. 12:7). “ And Nathan said unto David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul,” and Elisha (2 Ki. 3:14). “ And Elisha said, As the Lord of Hosts liveth, before whom I stand, sure ly, were it not that I regard the pres ence of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.” to carry the standard and to stay the tide. There must be some men like John the Baptist to speak to the kings (Matt. 14:3, 4). “For Herod had laid hold on John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not law ful for thee to have her.” Even Paul had to know something of the experience of standing alone for the Lord (2 Tim. 4:16, 17). “ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might he fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” Faith never counts numbers. It counts on God. Saul and Israel had their eyes on the giant. David meas ured Goliath in the presence of God and saw him as an insignificant man. Jonathan says, “ Come, let us go
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