Skinned Knees

# 182 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:12b-14, “Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel." 13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. (1 Sam 14:12b-14) The Lord has given Jonathan the green light to attack the Philistines, but that doesn't mean it will be easy. The garrison was spread out over a small patch of territory (about a half an acre) most likely in bunker like defensive positions. Jonathan and his armor-bearer must crawl up and over rocks on their hands and knees to take the first fortification. I am reminded of some of the most famous battles of WWII involved the taking of fortified enemy positions atop hills. Normandy and Iwo Jima come to mind. The enemy places himself in a position where there are many obstacles that need to be overcome. Such is the case for spiritual warfare as well. Ridicule, doubt, peer pressure, fear, and apathy are just a few of the obstacles that need to be overcome in our battles with the world, our flesh, and the devil. But we, like Jonathan must press on reminding ourselves to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” And as we press on with Christ, trusting in His forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Sword of His Word the enemies carcasses are soon dotting the landscape. Look! There's adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries. That's 17, throw in 3 others who no longer hold power over you. It won't be easy, you'll have some skinned knees from time spent in prayer, but remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.