“Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!” 44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.” 45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. 46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.” 1 Samuel 14.43-46
Previously, we talked about the foolishness of Saul in wanting to put his son Jonathan to death for tasting a bit of honey during the battle, even before the king had issued his decree. However, the men of Saul spoke up, and Jonathan’s life was spared from this foolish decision.
Moreover, it was Jonathan who brought about the great victory over the Philistines. Saul was not responsible for the rout in the field—it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who accomplished it. Jonathan was the hero of the day, with the guidance of the Lord. Just as the Lord delivered the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines, so the men of Saul delivered Jonathan from the hand of Saul.
To be delivered means we need a deliverer. We cannot deliver ourselves. The Israelites could not deliver themselves from the Philistine army, nor could Jonathan deliver himself from the hand of Saul. We all need a deliverer.
There have been multiple times in my life when Jesus clearly showed up as my Deliverer, Savior, and Lord. Early in my life, His grace was with me, pursuing me. As a teenager, He saved me, rescued me, and justified me. Since then, through both good times and bad, Jesus has been actively redeeming, rescuing, renewing, and forgiving me.
If only salvation were a one-time event! While I was delivered unto salvation at the moment of my conversion, I have required (and still do) continual deliverance. My battles with sin and life’s circumstances reveal my ongoing need for saving, rescuing, and redeeming. Jesus is not just my past Savior; He is my ever-present help in times of need.
Have you called upon this Savior today? Have you shouted His name in praise? Have you run to the Father, who can pull you from the pit—not just once, but time and time again?
Cry out to Him. Call on Jesus to save you, forgive you, and fill you with His Spirit. For we all need deliverance, and we all need a Deliverer in God.
“O Lord God, this is a season of Thanksgiving, and I praise Your name. I exalt You as Lord and King and magnify Your holy name. Come now, eternal God, and find Your place in my heart. Help me to know that You are a good and loving God. I trust You with each day and every circumstance. Amen.”