Heart and Soul

I am so delighted to once again be studying I Samuel and the life of David, a man who is described Biblically as “after God’s own heart.” In American versus King James English that would mean that David’s actions and thought patterns focused on God—sometimes.

But before we get to David’s story in I Samuel, we read about some interesting characters: the last judge of Israel--Samuel, the first king of Israel--Saul, Jonahthan, Saul’s son (and close-knit friend to David)—and Jonathan’s armor bearer.

We are using Beth Moore’s study guide and teaching videos, and as usual, Beth Moore does not disappoint. I love it when a segment of God’s Word catches my attention despite the fact that I might have read that section several times before.

That is what happened with the account of Jonathan’s armor bearer. The location of this story is in I Samuel 14:1-14 and is a fascinating picture of trust and obedience. Jonathan clearly trusts God in the skirmish he plans against Israel’s enemies, the Philistines. But it’s not his trust that surprised me this time as I read the account, it was the trust exhibited by Jonathan’s armor bearer.

He tells Jonathan in verse 7, “Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” I can imagine his adrenalin was pumping over-time at the audacious plan of his young master, but the young aide obviously trusted his master and perhaps even the Lord. Judging by Jonathan’s statement in verse 6, his aide tacitly approves as he says in the following verse, “I am with you heart and soul.”

The account continues with Jonathan putting his plan into action, telling his armor bearer, “Climb up after me.” (They had to climb a cliff to reach the enemy outpost.) The Bible says the armor bearer was right behind Jonathan and when they reached the top, Jonathan took on the Philistines with a vengeance while his armor bearer stayed right behind him, covering his back and doing the same. When they came up for air, they saw about 20 dead Philistines littering the half acre around them. (Then God sent an earthquake which panicked the enemy army, but that goes beyond the armor bearer’s story.)

The words, “I am with you heart and soul” really spoke to me, for if I know my own heart/mind, that’s what I want to be for God. However, this is a depth of passion and being sold-outed-ness (definitely not a word, sorry) that I have yet to see in myself. It IS something I want to open myself up to.

Like Jonathan’s armor bearer, I want to listen carefully to my Master’s instructions and then obey them. Because I can put on the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6) I am protected and prepared for whatever battle I face. How can I not be “heart and soul” for a Master Who loves me like that!