NUMBERS DON’T MATTER

1 Samuel 14:6-14 GNT

Jonathan said to the young man, "Let's cross over to the camp of those heathen Philistines. Maybe the LORD will help us; if he does, nothing can keep him from giving us the victory, no matter how few of us there are." 

[7] The young man answered, "Whatever you want to do, I'm with you." 

[8] "All right," Jonathan said. "We will go across and let the Philistines see us. 

[9] If they tell us to wait for them to come to us, then we will stay where we are. 

[10] But if they tell us to go to them, then we will, because that will be the sign that the LORD has given us victory over them." 

[11] So they let the Philistines see them, and the Philistines said, "Look! Some Hebrews are coming out of the holes they have been hiding in!" 

[12] Then they called out to Jonathan and the young man, "Come on up here! We have something to tell you!" Jonathan said to the young man, "Follow me. The LORD has given Israel victory over them." 

[13] Jonathan climbed up out of the pass on his hands and knees, and the young man followed him. Jonathan attacked the Philistines and knocked them down, and the young man killed them. 

[14] In that first slaughter Jonathan and the young man killed about twenty men in an area of about half an acre.

Numbers don’t always equate to strength or success, just as bigger is not always better for a positive outcome. More is not necessarily needed for a significantly positive outcome in a situation. Many times, we think in terms of numbers and sizes in achieving a goal and are deterred when we feel inadequate or outnumbered. All the Lord needs to achieve His will is one willing and obedient person. The Lord looks down, according to Psalm 14:2, looking for one man.

As Jonathan told his armour-bearer in verse six, God does not depend on large numbers to accomplish His will. Judges 7 is a testament that numbers do not matter in God’s plan. “The people are still too many,” says the Lord to Gideon (Judges 7:4). God cut Gideon’s army of 32,000 to 300. Really, God! 300! An army of thirty-two thousand strong, and twenty-two thousand were sent away. With only 300 men who lapped, the Lord delivered the Midianites into Gideon’s hands. That’s alright then since we don’t depend on any man to deliver us but on God to deliver us every time.

Abraham went against five kings and their platoons with only 318 men born in his household (Genesis 14:14). Three hundred and eighteen men are no physical match for a largely experienced brutal army of the five kings, but in God’s hand, they were more than enough.

This should be an encouragement for those of us who feel like we are alone in places where our faith, race, colour, and skill may be questioned. Especially if you are one of a few believers wherever you find yourself—in your job, business, community, and family. You might be the only believer in your family, and you are thinking of how you will impact your family by yourself. God has shown us through Jonathan that He can and will accomplish significant things through any person who trusts Him; big, small, strong, or weak.

You are never alone in any battle! If you call, He will answer and be with you as promised in Psalm 91:15. “It may be that the Lord will work for us” — This expression did not imply a doubt; it simply signified that the object Jonathan aimed at was not his power but depended on God—and that he expected success neither from his strength and military ability nor his merit but totally on God’s grace and ability.

Like Jonathan, we must learn to accept and believe that God will save us regardless of how many people are with us or come against us. God is not deterred by number or strength. Judges 15 shows that Samson was one man whom the Lord used several times to defeat a large army only with the jawbone of an ass. Elisha led the army of Israel to victory over the Aramean army without any of them lifting a finger or entering any combat.

We must always be willing to exercise faith and trust God to do His part in defending and protecting those who fear Him and call on Him. The words “there is no restraint unto the Lord” imply at least a few things. First, there is no restraint in terms of the Lord’s power, as we have already discussed His omnipotence. There is nothing or anyone who can put chains and fetters on our God to bind Him or hinder Him in any way from doing anything that He desires to do. He does whatsoever He pleases with no exceptions—if this were not true, then He would not be God. The Lord needs you, despite your perceived unsuitability. He doesn’t need a crowd, a strong or weak person; He needs a willing, humble, and obedient person. Are you one?

PRAYER: Lord, help me to never doubt your ability to deliver me and use me as you desire. I surrender to your grace in Jesus’ name, amen.

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