NO RESTRAINT WITH GOD -- Monday:
" . . . for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6)
Jonathan was a bold soul, desirous to defeat the enemies of the Lord, and confident it could be done in the power of the Lord. On a particular day, when his father King Saul was in the outskirts of Gibeah with about six hundred men, Jonathan decided to rise above the ordinary. Israel was at war with the Philistines, and things were not going too well. It is written, "So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan" (13:22). Difficult circumstances indeed, but they did not dampen the spirit of Jonathan.
Not telling his father what he was doing, Jonathan said to "the young man who bore his armor, Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side" (14:1). Going through a pass that was between two rocky crags, the two bold young men came within talking distance of the Philistine garrison, or outpost. In faith Jonathan said, "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" (14:6). Jonathan's thoughts were not shaped by the ability of himself and his armor bearer, but by the ability of God. He knew God can produce victory with a lot of people, or just a few. He had profited by a recollection of previous victories in the name of the Lord.
The word did not frighten the armor bearer who replied, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart" (14:7). There is nothing like an encourager when you venture forth in the name of the Lord! Two bold souls are truly better than one.
The strategy Jonathan planned was not a military one, but one depending on the Lord. He said they would Make the Philistines aware of their presence, and see how they responded. "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us" (14:8-10). Sometimes waiting upon the Lord does involve take some bold initiative. Waiting is not idleness.
The strategy caused the Philistines to mock the two young men. "Look," they responded, "the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden." The Scriptures tell us the two young men engaged those Philistines in battle. It is written, "That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land" (14:14).
There is still room in the Kingdom for courageous souls who know what Jonathan knew, that God is not restrained because there are only a few. Small numbers can do "great exploits" as Daniel prophesied (Dan 11:32). It only remains for them to be convinced that God can do what needs to be done through them. Their number is completely inconsequential. God is looking for a person–a single person–whose cause He can undergird (2 Chron 16:9). There is no reason why it cannot be you personally. Also, smaller gatherings of believers have every reason to believe God can work mightily through them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask that you cross my path with strong and noble souls who see the truth of this text, and are willing to move forward in the power of that persuasion.