Bravery

Text: I Samuel 14:6-14

 

I.         When we were teenagers, my brother, after a history class, pointed out that wars are cyclic. They tend to break out once per generation.

            A.        If a war appeared glamorous and popular, the next war would come sooner

            B.        If a war was bitter and carried heavy losses, the next war would be long in coming; though within the life of the next generation. Time dims the memory of the horrors of war

            C.        The idea makes sense.

                        1.         On the one hand, wars appear glamorous. Men find honor in serving their country. Often a noble cause is found to justify a country’s participation in the battles.

                        2.         But once the reality of war sets in, once people realize their loved ones will never return to them, once they sense that these young men and women who leave may never be seen again, then fear grips the people of the nation.

            D.        War is a scary business.

                        1.         During World War II, General George Patton was met by a military governor who praised his bravery in battle. General Patton replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man – the truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.”

                        2.         How could such a man function with these fears?

                        3.         Many years later Patton wrote in his autobiography, “I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears.”

II.        The Bible records the amazing deeds of David’s closest friend, Jonathan

            A.        In a rash and daring move, Jonathan decided to cross the lines of battle into enemy territory.

                        1.         The Philistines had tight control over the iron market.

                        2.         No Israelite was allowed to work as a blacksmith - I Samuel 13:19-22

                        3.         Farm implements were available, but the charge for these tools was so high that few could afford the price.

                        4.         When Saul lead the Israelites in rebellion against the Philistines, only Saul and his son Jonathan had swords. The remainder of the army used sharpened farming tools.

            B.        It was during this war that Jonathan and his armor-bearer approached a garrison of Philistine soldiers who had sealed a pass between Israelite and Philistine territory.

            C.        Jonathan and his armor-bearer walked boldly up to the Philistine camp.

            D.        A Philistine sentry spotted them, seeing them alone, decided to have some fun with these silly Hebrews. He invited them to come up into the camp to “tell them something.” Jonathan had already determined that this would be a sign to him from God as to where to wage the battle. He entered the camp and slaughtered 20 armed men in a small section of ground.

            E.        What gave Jonathan the courage to attack an enemy garrison by boldly walking up to it?

                        1.         It was his faith in God. Moses told the people - Deuteronomy 20:1-4

                        2.         God fought alongside of Jonathan, sending an earthquake that so terrified the enemy that they began to kill each other - I Samuel 14:15, 20

III.       God wants us to be brave

            A.        With God on our side, there is no fear - Deuteronomy 31:6

            B.        With God near, there is no fear of death - Psalms 23:4

            C.        Jesus gave us his peace, not outward peace that the world looks for, but inward peace - John 14:27

                        1.         There is no fear

            D.        God has not given us a spirit of fear - II Timothy 1:7

                        1.         Thus, we must bravely teach God’s Word

IV.      Developing Courage

            A.        Most of our fears come from our own imaginations - Psalms 53:5

                        1.         At times, what we fear is actually a blessing

                                    a.         Recall what happened to Joseph. Much evil happened to him, but in the end, Joseph told his brothers - Genesis 50:19-21

                                    b.         Recall Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. They were thrown in a furnace because they defied the king, refusing to worship an idol - Daniel 3:28-29

                        2.         Righteous wins in the end - Romans 8:28

                        3.         Fearing God is safety. Fearing men is a snare - Proverbs 29:25

            B.        Fear from a guilty conscience - Proverbs 28:1

                        1.         With God’s salvation, there is no fear - Isaiah 12:2

            C.        We need to face the things we fear

                        1.         Paul fought the fight - II Timothy 4:7

                        2.         Timothy was told to be a good solider - II Timothy 2:3

“Do you fear the force of the wind,

The slash of the rain?

Go face them and fight them,

Be savage again.

Go hungry and cold like the wolf,

Go wade like the crane:

The palms of your hands will thicken,

The skin of your cheek will tan,

You’ll grow ragged and weary and swarthy,

But you’ll walk like a man!” (Hamlin Garland)

V.        There is no need to fear men

            A.        Against God, what can man do? - Psalms 118:6

            B.        I can be in the middle of a battle and not fear - Psalms 27:3

            C.        Even when surrounded by thousands, there will be no fear - Psalms 3:6-8

            D.        This is why David was fearless in facing Goliath - I Samuel 17:32-37

            E.        Courage is a sign of salvation - Philippians 1:27-28