Have you ever felt like you were facing obstacles too big for you to conquer?
Seems like most of us these days are facing an overwhelming problem. Whether it’s in the arenas of parenting, marriage, finances or health, we are encircled with challenges. We wonder if God really sees our situation, and if He does see, does He really care. All we see is the problem and no source of help.
At times I’ve discounted God’s help, not because He isn’t able, but because I figure there are others more in need of His help than me. Also, because I’m a realist by nature, I know that sometimes God is going to let me go through a problem rather than get me out of it. There have been many times when I find myself resigned to suffer rather than believe God is going to save me. But I’m pretty sure that’s not how God wants me to think.
There’s a story in First Samuel about Jonathan, the son of King Saul. Jonathan was facing an enemy of Isreal - the Philistines. While we know about David’s bravery facing the Philistine giant Goliath, we seldom hear of Jonathan’s bravery facing the same group of warriors.
In 1 Samuel 14, we read about Jonathan seeing a detachment of Philistines. Without the protection of his father the king, or any armed men, Jonathan sets off with only his armor-bearer to face the enemy. The two young men approach the enemy, and Jonathan said, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
Within minutes those two untrained youth faced a trained army. Here’s what the Bible says happened:
“The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. In that first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.”
I know that’s kind of brutal, but it shows the Lord’s victory using just a few untrained believers. When the Israelite army finally figured out what was happening, they arrived on the scene to find this:
“Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.”
I love that Jonathan went into the battle confident that God would use either many or a few to save him. He didn’t know how God was going to save him, but he was sure it was going to happen.
Let’s have the mind of Jonathan today as we face our own battles. There is no reason why we can’t have that same confident attitude. God hasn’t changed. He still cares for and protects His beloved. He is bigger than any problem you and I have. And He has access to every resource available.
Nothing can hinder God from saving you. Whether by many or by few.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Thanks for the reminder today! Love your posts!