Mission Adventure

1 Samuel 14:1-7

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Mission

The original meaning of term “mission” in Latin is “sent off.”

In the New Testament, those who were sent off are called apostolos or apostles. Missions, spirit-empowered ministry and service were translated from Greek word “diakonia.” Interestingly, the term ‘deacon’ evolved from Greek word “diakonos,” and it pertains to those who serve in the ministry of the Lord.

Works of deacons and missionaries are spirit-empowered services to God.

Paul talks about mission adversities in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

In the Old Testament, to have a mission is to be charged, assigned or sent off to do what is commanded. Interestingly, NIV used the term ‘mission’ 6 times in 1 Samuel and once each in Joshua, Isaiah and Acts. What does it imply?

We can have additional knowledge about missions, how to rely upon God, what to expect, and how to prepare for mission in the book of 1 Samuel.

In his time, King Saul engaged in physical warfare while in our situation, we engage in spiritual warfare. Like physical or spiritual warfare, mission can be a horrible experience, but we can have adventures while involved in mission.

We get involved in the Lord’s mission when He gives us desire to abandon our comfort zone, and cross over to situation where we can practice faith in God. Where human effort is not enough, missions traverse uncomfortable zone.

1. Traverse

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

Saul may have been relaxing passively under a pomegranate tree, why? He had 600 men around him. He may have also felt secured in Gibeah, why? Not because the Philistines won’t dare to attack them but because one of the priests of God, Ahijah, had the ephod with him. The ephod has been used to know the will of God, but Saul didn’t even care to ask about God’s will.

In contrast, Jonathan did not want to relax. He sensed an adventurous urge to traverse beyond their comfort zone and cross over to the Philistine camp.

Elihu

After his 3 friends cannot find ways to prove that Job was sinful, Elihu can’t help it but to speak what’s in his mind. Culture dictates that a young Elihu should be quiet. But, he said in Job 32:18-22, 18I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. 21 I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; 22for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.         

Truly, when Christ’s Spirit is actively at work in our life, nothing can prevent or bothered us, even deadly threats. The fulfillment to obey the Lord overcomes worries about anything, including our future. Going to mission can be worrisome but when filled with the Holy Spirit, mission becomes fulfilling adventure.

The Lord Jesus reminds in Luke 21:12-19, 13 You will bear testimony to me. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

The Lord may have stirred the spirit of Jonathan so that he cannot relax as opposed to his father King Saul who waited under a Pomegranate tree. King Saul was scared of the Philistine army which implies that he didn’t really trust the Lord.

2. Trust

On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

The term ‘Bozez’ means ‘the rock near Mikmash’ while the term ‘Seneh’ means ‘cliff’ (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5573.htm). Logically, nobody will attack secretly from both sides because if they climb the cliff or the rock and get tired, they lose the battle.

But Jonathan was not scared of the result when he and his armor-bearer approached the Philistine outpost because he trusted the Lord. He committed his life to the Lord. It did not matter if their enemy were few or many. Jonathan believed that nobody can stop if the Lord grants them victory. Most notably, the armor-bearer of Jonathan was very much willing to join him.

Mission work can be adventurous when the Lord is at work. But if barriers, hindrances or possible challenges shake you, you’ve got to reconsider if you are called to missions or not. Faith in Christ transcends all adversities and troubles.

No worry, no fear or no doubt can shake us when our faith in the Lord is active. Can you believe that the Lord will also provide the necessary support or personnel to accomplish His purposes similar to supportive the armor-bearer of Jonathan? Jonathan trusted God that they will be victorious.

All believers are given a special mission project. No believer is exempted. Some are called to international missions, while others are called to join domestic missions. Your missions point could be your household, place of work, school, or community if you are not called to missions beyond the borders of our nation, yet.

Do you sense the urgency of telling your acquaintances about God’s love but you feel intimidated? It says in 2 Timothy 1:7, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Keep praying that God would give you the courage to share the gospel. God doesn’t force us to evangelize or go to mission. He wants us to experience more of His grace. Ask God to overflow you with power, love and self-discipline. When God’s right time comes, we can share the gospel of Christ effectively.

Watch out for situations that is impossible to be accomplished by human effort but that it needed to be done—something that may catch your attention that you just cannot ignore or taken for granted. God may have presented you an opportunity to experience more of His grace and empowerment to obey Him.

King Saul was very passive when the Philistine prepared for war. He knew that he had to do something but he was scared. In contrast, Jonathan sensed the urgency to do something, and he trusted that God would give him victory.

Pray and explore a situation you can practice faith in the Lord.

Finding Nemo

Have you watched the cartoon ‘Finding Nemo?’ Nemo is a young clownfish with impaired fin but eager to explore life around the ocean, and Marlin his father is overprotective of him. Nemo went school. But in school, Nemo sneaked away defiantly, and he was abducted by a scuba diver. Marlin went on a journey to find his son Nemo. Meanwhile, Nemo was placed in an aquarium. He attempted to escape several times until he succeeded and reunited with his father.

‘Finding Nemo’ illustrates an adventure that can possibly turn horrible. When the Lord Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, He promised us that He will be with us always to end, why? There are challenges we encounter when we participate in mission projects, but take heart, Christ is with us. Amen?

It says in Romans 8:31, If God is for us, who can be against us?

Everyone can be against us but with God in us, we are assured of victory.

Continue to pray on how you may get involved in mission, may it be domestically or internationally, make sure you have received your calling very clearly.

><((‘> … ><(((‘> tmec\2020 <‘))>< … <‘)))><

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.