March 19, 2025 - 1 Samuel 14-16

Jonathan fought against the Philistines.   “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few’” (14:6).  This is important.  The Lord can accomplish his purposes any way he chooses, whether by many or by few.  And he “who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11) WILL accomplish his purposes.  One of the reasons we need to stay in God’s Word regularly is the presence of these sorts of reminders.  Our God providentially oversees his creation and is doing good for his people.  And he often does so in unexpected and incredible ways, sometimes employing many, sometimes employing a few, and sometimes employing only one.  We might think of ourselves as not much (not far from the truth, I suppose), but we take our stance and go forward in the name of the Lord knowing that our Captain will be victorious.

Only an armor-bearer, proudly I stand,

Waiting to follow at the King’s command;

Marching if “onward” shall the order be,

Standing by my Captain, serving faithfully.

Hear ye the battle cry! “Forward,” the call!

See! see the faltering ones! backward they fall!

Surely the Captain may depend on me,

Tho’ but an armor-bearer I may be.

Surely the Captain may depend on me,

Tho’ but an armor-bearer I may be.   -- P. P. Bliss (1873)