^23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Micmash. ^1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." ...  ^4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh. ^5 One cliff stood to the north toward Micmash, the other to the south toward Geba.  ^6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."  1 Samuel 13:23-14:1, 4-6. 

The Philistines had invaded Israel, and they were laying waste to the land, which meant starvation for many of God's people (since they couldn't farm the land for fear of the Philistines) and a fate worse than death for any women and children who fell into the hands of the enemy. 

Jonathan saw what was happening to God's people, it surely made him angry, and he determined to do something about it.  He and his armor-bearer would climb up the rock at Micmash and conduct a limited attack on the Philistines garrisoned on top, in the hope that God would use their attack to spark a nationwide assault on and victory over Israel's enemies.   

Jonathan's attack was risky, but it was a calculated risk.  There were only twenty or so Philistines in the garrison and they were relatively spread out (at least in terms of combat conducted by the sword – see 14:14).  Since the rock-face at Micmash is almost completely vertical (see 14:13), the Philistines would have lost sight of Jonathan and his armor-bearer until the actual time of attack, giving them the element of surprise.  And, indeed, God did deliver them and Israel from the Philistines on that day. 

But the key factor was not Jonathan's planning or skill with the sword, but his faith in the Lord.  He wanted to give the Lord an opportunity to display his might (14:6), and that would not have happened if Jonathan had not taken this calculated risk. 

It's difficult for the Lord to display his glory in a life that is determined to play it safe at all costs.  Too many Christians refuse to do anything that might threaten their lives of relative security.  When was the last time an unbeliever gazed in wild wonder at the glory of God because a Christian was comfortable? 

While the Lord never calls us to foolishness and we should all seek wise counsel before any major decision, there can be no doubt that calculated risks chosen in the hopes of displaying the glory of God must be part of the Christian life.  What is he calling you to do?  It may be as simple as risking looking dumb by sharing the gospel with your neighbor or giving some money away to a good cause.  Or maybe God is calling you to a calculated risk that looks more radical in the eyes of the world: going into a different, and less lucrative, career field, where you feel you can better serve the Lord, or selling your house and downsizing so that you can give more money away.  Maybe it's the call to long term foreign missions.  Whatever it is, the Lord will bless it and display his glory (even if everything doesn't turn out like you planned), for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, either by many or by few.