By many or few

Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah. Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart." – 1 Samuel 14.4-7

I never thought much about this passage until way back in 2002. Our church plant has never been large, but in September of that year we had a huge setback. Everyone coming to church outside of our family let me know that they were no longer going to be a part of the fellowship.

I have to say that I was shaken. I was discouraged. My pride was hurt. I was upset. I was all of that and more. I wanted to quit. I wanted to load up and go back to America. If someone had offered us one way tickets to Alabama I would have gone.

But I went for a walk the next morning and God began a whole long series of encouragements to keep us here.

On one morning over the next few weeks I read this passage in my devotions. I saw myself and my family is the same situation as Jonathan and his armour bearer. They were facing the Philistines. They had sharp rocks on both sides. The tempting thing to do would have been their version of waving the white flag.

But they didn’t. Jonathan told his armour bearer that they had to finish their task. ‘Nothing can keep God from doing His work by many or by few.’

Then somehow God gave them the victory.

God doesn’t need a great multitude to do His work. He doesn’t need great resources or fancy buildings or rich benefactors to do what He wants to do. He can deliver by many or by few.

We can’t get discouraged by numbers or lack of resources. It is all Gods work and even if it is just Jonathan and his armour bearer or twelve ordinary men who turned the world upside God can do His work if we are willing to serve Him.

So even when the resources and numbers and facilities are small lets be sure we just keep plugging away because it is God who does the work through us.