Talk about a sign from God! A tremendous earthquake shook the land, one so great that the Philistine multitude began to flee from the battlefield (14:15-16). Could there be any doubt that God wanted His people to pursue them, to achieve a crushing victory over their enemies?

And yet, the first thing Saul did after seeing such a clear sign was to take a count of his troops (14:17). Even though the sign of God’s triumph was right in front of him, perhaps he was still wondering if he had enough soldiers to rout his fleeing foes. In short, he seems to have maintained a stubborn focus only on his own resources, only on what human beings can do to solve our own problems.

Of course, Saul could also have been wondering if one of his men had performed some ritual or offered some sacrifice to prompt such an obviously divine intervention. Just so, in verse 18, we see Saul asking for the Ark of God, probably in order to ask the priest to conduct some sort of ceremony to try to determine God’s will or secure God’s favor. Again, his focus is firmly rooted in this world, on how human beings can wheedle or manipulate God so that we can get what we want.

Are we modern Christians so very different? For how often do we let the remnants of sin within our hearts discourage us? How often do we believe Satan’s lies that we continue to be powerless in the face of temptation, or that God could not possibly forgive us for what we have done or left undone? On other hand, how often do we look to our own good works or to the ceremonies of the Church to give us hope instead of resting in the finished Work of Christ?

But we have no need for another sign. For Jesus has already accomplished everything that is necessary to redeem us and save us. There is nothing that we can add and nothing that we need to add to His death and resurrection. And because He has already gained the final victory over sin and death, He has empowered all who trust in Him not only to have eternal life with Him forever, but victorious, resurrection life here and now.

As Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.” The earth has quaked (Matthew 28:51) and the tomb is empty. The power of our enemies has been crushed. So let us linger no longer in doubt or fear, but as we place our trust in Christ alone, let us seize the victory God has already won for us.

I Samuel 14:16-23 (NASB)

16 Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.
17 And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.
19 And it happened while Saul talked to the priest, that the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.
21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle.
23 So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.