View Resource Online
Victory on Hell’s Half Acre
1 Samuel 14:13-15 (KJV)
13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. 15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is a name used for places that represent great adversity and challenge.
Its name that would tell somebody, “don’t go there.”
In the battle of life, there are places and things that the enemy would love to put that label on.
He would love to take authority, prominence, and possession over our life.
Satan wants to silence the prayers of the Church. He wants to muffle the sound of our praise.
Some would say that there is great adversity in our world today, that where they are living could be called ‘Hell’s Half Acre,’ but let me tell you something; Satan doesn’t own anything.
He doesn’t own you, or your dreams, promises, or future. The only way he takes any possession of us is if we allow him to.
Romans 13:1 (KJV) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
The prelude to our text tonight is that of a failed King and the desires of his son. Saul had failed miserably, but in the 14th chapter of 1 Samuel we read about Jonathan’s great success as a commander. This passage describes the sad condition of the army of Israel, which reveals Saul’s poor leadership skills and how remarkable Jonathan’s victory was. Saul walked by sight and had little faith, but Jonathan walked by faith and did exploits for the Lord.
Saul was posted up with his men underneath a pomegranate tree, he had given up, and his army depleted as their hopes crushed.
The enemy was setting up camp in Bethlehem, the dwelling place of God, their home town, and the capital of the Hebrew nation.
Saul allowed them to come in and take over. Bethlehem, the promise that was once delivered to God’s people, was now being possessed by their enemies.
The enemy has taken residence in some of our lives. If we let him, he can hold our dreams, passions, and aspirations hostage.
If he hasn’t already, Satan wants to establish a ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ in your life.
The Philistines sent a detachment of soldiers to establish a new outpost to guard the pass at Michmash, but Jonathan saw this as an opportunity to attack and see the Lord work. Some, when faced with Hell’s Half Acre will give up and give in. Other’s see an opportunity for victory. When we are at our weakest, God is at his best!
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Today is a day of opportunity for victory. It’s time to take back what the enemy’s taken from us.
1 Samuel 14:6 (KJV) And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.
- Now is the time.
Jonathan, to his armor bearer, said, “Come.” Now is the time for victory on Hell’s doorstep.
- Turning a maybe into a miracle.
Romans 8:31 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Shadrech, Meshach, and Abednego.
- God doesn’t need many people, just mighty people.
There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. God has proven time and time again; It’s not quantity its quality.
One man, David, freed his people with a sling and a rock.
One man, Moses, had faith to stretch forth his hand.
One woman, Esther, stood up for her people and deliverance.
One man, Joseph, endured the pit to get to the palace.
One man, Jesus, went to the cross to save the whole world.
All it takes is one.
- Inward certainty that God is able.
No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it.
Jonathan went back in his mind to the stories of what God did for them in the yesteryear. It’s time for victory in Hell’s Half Acre.
1 Samuel 14:11 (KJV) And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
The enemy makes fun of us when we step out, but that is just the beginning. Some young people need to get victory tonight.
When Jonathan and his armorer won the battle, God sent an earthquake through their camp.
The two courageous Jews quickly killed twenty men, and then the Lord honored their faith by sending an earthquake, throwing them into great confusion until they were destroyed. Terror and confusion gripped the enemy camp and prepared the way for a great victory of the army of Israel. There’s victory on Hell’s Half Acre!
