#1269. God speaks and leads those who are willing (14/5/25)
- Matt Beaney
- May 14
- 5 min read
Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, I’m sharing a new devotional each weekday. Our reflections are inspired by themes from our recent church weekend away, and I pray they will encourage and challenge us.
Continuing with Jonathan, we reflect on how God speaks and acts on behalf of those who are truly ready to listen and obey.
To watch this devotional, select the link below:
‘Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armour-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armour-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. 15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.’ (1 Samuel 14:8-15)
1. Jonathan and his armour bearer trust God to speak
I wonder how we think and feel about listening and obeying God. Many, I believe, feel doubtful that they can hear God accurately - they doubt their ability to hear and His ability to speak clearly to them; many are fearful of listening to God because they are worried about what He might say - they doubt their courage and His wisdom. The truth, however, is that God is able to speak to anyone who is willing, and what He calls us to do is ‘good pleasing and perfect’ (Romans 12).
Jesus has promised Christians that He will continue to be with them and speak to them:
‘“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”’ (John 16:12-13)
If Jonathan and His young armour bearer could expect God to make His will clear to them, how much more should we, in the New Covenant age of the Spirit, expect Jesus to lead us!
2. There are many ways in which God speaks
There’s too much that could be said on this great subject of hearing God’s voice, and today I simply want us to consider this ‘put out the fleece’ principle. Jonathan’s approach was: if they say this or that we’ll take that as God’s direction; this reminds us of the ‘fleece principle’ that we learn from the account of Gideon:
‘Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.’ (Judges 6:36-40)
On occasion, it’s good to pray something like, “Father, if it’s your will that I do this or that, please would you do this or that.” Of course, there are various other principles that give balance to this kind of guidance: Are we willing to seek advice from a trusted leader? Are we making a decision that is in line with scripture? But we can trust God to lead as we submit our will to Him.
Today, let’s ask ourselves:
Do I expect and seek God’s voice?
Do I listen for God’s voice when reading the Bible?
Do I ask people to pray for me when I’m seeking direction?
Do I pray for my church to hear God’s voice?
Let’s pray together:
“Father, I submit my life to you. Lead me in your will. Lead my church in your will. Please give me and your church a readiness to listen and obey you. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
This study is inspired by our recent weekend away, where Henk Kirsten spoke to us. I’ve titled this series God Is Preparing Us. Over the weekend, Henk shared insights from the lives of Jacob, Jonah, and Jonathan with his young armour bearer. In each of these biblical characters, we see how God enlarged their faith and refined their character to prepare them for His greater purposes.
Discussion:
Read Jonah 4:1–11. What does God teach Jonah in this passage? What might He be teaching us through Jonah’s experience?
Read 1 Samuel 14:1–7. What does this story show us about acting on the “perhaps” of faith?
Read 1 Samuel 14:8–15. What can we learn about discerning God’s voice when we are seeking to do His will?
Reflect on the young armour bearer’s response. What does his attitude teach us about being an encouragement to others—especially to those stepping out in faith and leadership?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything from the theme of our weekend away that inspires us in our mission?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Discuss and pray for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ (* See note) in your life—those open to you and the gospel.
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Comments