Made for This MomentSample

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: JONATHAN

Ride or Die

WARM-UP

His armor bearer said, “Go ahead. Do what you think best. I’m with you all the way.” 1 Samuel 14:7

ON THE PITCH

Jonathan was a man with a plan. His father, Saul, and the Israelite army had long battled with the Philistines, so Jonathan decided to shake things up a bit. He and his armor bearer secretly left camp and headed straight into enemy territory. He proposed his plan to his faithful companion. “When the enemy sees us, if they tell us to stay put, we’ll not go up to them. However, if they tell us to come up and fight, we’ll believe this to be a sign that the Lord’s favor is with us and we’ll go to battle” (1 Sam. 14:8-10).

The armor bearer’s response - “Go ahead. Do what you think best. I’m with you all the way.” Thus introducing the biblical version of the slang phrase “ride or die.” So together, they went.

When the enemy saw Jonathan and his armor-bearer, they called them up to fight. With the Lord’s favor, they defeated 20 men. God used this moment to turn the enemy camp into chaos and confusion. Their small win catalyzed victory for the Israelite army that day.

These days, we don’t walk around with physical armor as in ancient times, but we do have access to spiritual armor. So, who is YOUR armor bearer? When you’re discouraged or doubting God’s presence or plan, who reminds you to lift up your shield of faith? When your thoughts seem to spiral, which teammate reminds you to grab your sword to defeat the enemy with the truth of God’s word?

We are designed for community. We all need a “ride or die” teammate who is ready to roll into battle with us. Jonathan and his armor-bearer stepped into a moment together. They trusted the Lord’s provision and started something the Lord finished.

Today, as you step into a made for this moment, who is with you all the way? Will you take a moment to thank them for being your ride or die?

EXTRA TIME

1 Samuel 14:1-23, Ephesians 6:10-20

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for creating us for community. Help us to support each other as we bravely step into moments we were made for together.