Christian Family Services Ministry

9-15-2018 – A Word to the Wise: COURAGE

Men of courage and women as well are found throughout scripture. The Old Testament is filled with stories of individuals who stir the emotions and challenge the warrior.

In Hebrew 11:34 scripture refers to an ancient incident which one may easily pass over. It says referring to men of faith who “became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” I can think of no better illustration of this than the battle of Michmash.

Michmash? I have never heard of it. It is the story of two Old Testament warriors a story which should strengthens us during the dark night of the soul.

Jonathan was an adventurer. A man of honor filled with courage. His nation was being occupied by the Philistines. A loathsome enemy who successfully subjugated Israel.

The enemy established a garrison at Michmash which controlled the surrounding mountainous area in central Israel.

Jonathan observed one of the Philistine outpost occupied by twenty of the enemy. He reasoned with his armor-bearer that the Lord could overcome whether few or many.

So the two go behind the garrison outpost and climb up behind the enemy. The text says they climb up the high hill on their hands and knees. Looking at the area where the battle took place all one sees is rocks, boulders, and a very steep climb.

Reaching the top Jonathan and his companion attack the unsuspecting enemy and quickly kill 20 of them.

Let the eyes of your mind behold the sight. Watch as two men in close hand to hand combat armed with only a single sword slay 20 in just the space of a few minutes.

The result is incredible. The enemy in a large formation watching from a distance are thrown into panic. In the resulting chaos the Philistine army composed of many different mercenaries start killing each other.

King Saul sees the battle ensuing and joins the melee. The enemy is driven from the area and many are killed in the ensuing rout.

This major battle is started by two brave, courageous, god fearing men and it results in a major defeat for the enemy. Two men induced 30,000 of the enemy to flee. There is a lesson for us in this battle.

Really there is a miracle transpiring. Jonathan is using a form of combat that was unknown at the time. The Lord shows Jonathan this form of combat and Jonathan and his companion practice it.

Normally in a fight a person is both offensive and defensive. Attacking the enemy and defending or protecting self.

The key to understanding the scene is the word armor-bearer. What is that? Someone who carries a sword or spear? No, not at all.

Jonathan’s companion carried a medium size shield and he shielded Jonathan and himself from the enemy blows. This freed Jonathan to attack with two hands on the sword. It was a very effective form of combat impossible to overcome. It is rare because two had to think as one. These two had practiced it until they were two working as one.

It is certain that courage in the face of the enemy is the key to winning intense spiritual battles. A courage rooted in the fear of the Lord ensures that one will not run and hide, nor cave in when the enemy comes in like a flood.

When the dark night of the soul sets in, when others quake in fear, when surrounded with the night terrors or overwhelmed with the most intense pain, when calamity is to be found at every turn, when the storms of life drown us in sorrow beyond measure, even then one cannot be induced to run and hide or curse there God.

Buried in the midst of overwhelming difficulties complacence does not set in, rather the paths of justice are guarded with even greater zeal. This is the heritage of the God trained warrior. One, who in the words of John, “does not cling to life even in the face of death.” One who is clothed in the armor of the Lord.

It is the example the Lord reveals to each of us. Our companion is the Lord and together we attack the enemy in every form whether addiction, fear, anxiety, depression, or the evil ones who rebel against the living God.

That is the heart and intent of Eph. 6:10ff.