How Many Does God Need
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. 1 Sam 14:6 (b) NIV.
Lord, this episode had to be one of the craziest schemes of all time. Two blokes, Johnathan and his armor bearer, decide to take on a whole detachment of Philistine warriors. Not only that, but they warn them that they’re coming. What’s more, they have to climb up hand-and-foot to get there. Their only possible advantage – at least in the natural – was that the Philistines were probably too busy rolling around on the ground laughing at the whole idea to be able to defend themselves.
Yet, Lord, it seems that throughout Your Word, You like to make the point that one plus You is a majority. I think of Gideon’s army, which You deliberately reduced from 32,000 to just 300, specifically to demonstrate that victory doesn’t come from human numbers, strength or ability, but only from You.
And, in the New Testament, I think of the little band of 120, empowered by Your Spirit on the day of Pentecost, who went on to “turn the world upside down.”
Lord, in my own life it often feels like I’m fighting on a dozen fronts at once. Sometimes I feel totally outnumbered. Yet, Lord, when I look at those things in the light of these Scriptures, one thing becomes obvious – no matter how big and daunting the things that come against me might be, as long as I am in Your will, You are with me – and we are the majority.
Stretching my vision to the bigger picture, I think of all the things that come against Your Kingdom – false religions, militant atheism, spiraling immorality, rampant injustice, endemic materialism. Sometimes they all seem so big, we wonder how we can ever effectively stand against them. Help us – help me – to remember that You always win, no matter how many are on Your side.
Find more Bible Meditations here.
