Sometimes, you just need to take a risk.  I’m not talking about reckless risks.  I’m talking about ones where God nudges you closer to a seemingly impossible situation and dares you to act in spite of the overwhelming odds.  I once heard those moments described as “divine impulses”.

A young guy named Jonathan had a divine impulse one day.  His father Saul, the once great King of Israel, was sitting defeated under a pomegranate tree, lamenting the fact that his army was pitiful, outnumbered , weaponless, and retreating.  He had started out with 3000 warriors, and was now down to 600.  And the enemy was quite aware of it.

Jonathan would have none of his father’s pity-party.  He knew this battle wasn’t theirs – it was God’s. So, upon a divine impulse, he snuck out of his father’s sad camp with only his armor bearer as a companion, and took on the Philistine army – with God on his side.  Fearless, he proclaimed, “Come on now, let’s go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe God will work for us. There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when He sets his mind to it.” (1 Samuel 14:6  The Message)

And God did indeed deliver.  These two brave guys took the biggest risk of their lives and saw God work a miracle of epic proportions.  Their success against the enemy spurred Saul and the rest of Israel’s army to stop feeling sorry for themselves under that pomegranate tree, regroup and complete what the bold ones had started.  “And the LORD saved Israel that day” (1 Samuel 14:23)

I want to have the boldness of Jonathan.  I want to take on God-sized challenges that will inspire others by what He accomplishes through me.  I want to be acutely aware of divine impulses nudging me towards seemingly impossible situations, and be willing to take a risk that will give God all the glory.  Taking a risk can be a very good thing.

For with God, nothing is impossible.  Luke 1:37

Is there anything too hard for the LORD?  Genesis 18:14

But without faith it is impossible to please Him.  For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6