Jonathan said, "Come, then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us." 1 Samuel 14:8
Feeling compelled to face the enemy, Jonathan took his armor-bearer and headed to the Philistine outpost. Here he was, the oldest son of the king, the man who would have been king had his father not dishonored God, and he chose to leave the protection of the camp. It quickly became apparent that the Lord was guiding Jonathan, for he and his young armor-bearer killed some twenty Philistines who had taunted them. Their small effort to engage the enemy sparked a great confusion, and turmoil broke out within the Philistine army. God used the actions of two to bring about deliverance for Israel.
Although Jonathan knew God was with him, he did something that I'm not sure I could have done. He stepped out into the open. He could have chosen to secretly creep up on the enemy, staying hidden however possible. But the quickest way to reach the enemy was through the middle of a ravine; with a cliff on both sides, he would have been completely vulnerable, yet he didn't let that stop him. The Philistines could have easily killed these two tiny men who stepped into their sites.
If they had know what was going to happen, the Philistines would have been wise to take advantage of their position. But in their arrogance, they taunted Jonathan, and Jonathan knew the Lord had given them into his hand.
Father, why is it that the greatest victories come through making ourselves the most vulnerable? In order to heal, a cancer patient must face death by allowing medicine or radiation to kill good cells along with the bad. In order to heal, a broken man must allow his brokenness to be seen by those who can help. Help me to embrace my vulnerability. Help me to courageously step out into the open - to put myself in the enemy's sites. Then give me the strength to fight. Strengthen my armor-bearer, so he can kill the enemies who fall before me. Deliver us from this enemy who seems too great to conquer. No army can stand against You.