Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
1 Samuel 14:6 NIV
Israel, under King Saul, was at war with the Philistines. But they were woefully outnumbered and poorly armed. Things looked bleak for Israel. And day by day, their army was melting away in fear.
But Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a different perspective on the situation. He took his armor-bearer and decided to attack a Philistine outpost of at least twenty men. He did this, not because he was a great warrior, although it seems he was, but because he was convinced that God would deliver the Philistines into his hand. His words to his armor-bearer reflect his faith in God’s ability. “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” It does not matter how many or few of us there are. God can use us to defeat this army, regardless of how many of them there are.
And God did. Jonathan defeated this outpost, God sent a panic on the Philistine host, and Israel had a great victory that day.
I believe that what Jonathan expressed that day is just as true today. If we are where God wants us to be, we are never outnumbered. We can be victorious against overwhelming odds if we will simply trust in God to use us. Instead of looking at the obstacles to accomplishing God’s will for us as individuals or as a church, trust in the one who can ensure success, knowing that nothing can hinder the Lord. And go for it.
