There is No Restraint to the Lord!

Whether a soldier wins or loses in the midst of battle largely depends upon his focus.  A right focus involves a proper knowledge of the facts and diligent concentration.  If these two elements are missing the soldier is sure to lose in the struggle against his opponent.  In I Samuel 14, there is a tremendous example of a warrior who had a proper focus.  He was not distracted by the overwhelming odds that faced him, but instead placed all of his attention upon the One who was fighting for him.

 

The Philistines and the Israelites were fighting between Michmash and Gibeah.  The only swords or spears found among the Israelites were in the hands of King Saul and his son Jonathan, giving the enemy a tremendous advantage.  This in no way dampened the spirits of Jonathan, for in a moment of opportunity, he and his armor bearer crept away from the Israelites unto a garrison of the Philistine army.  When they came to a place out of sight of the enemy, they devised a plan.  “Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised:  it may be that the LORD will work for us:  for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few” (I Samuel 14:6).  The man who bare his armor agreed to go with him, and they proceeded onward to defeat the Philistines.  The victory that the LORD gave them that day still remains as a wonderful example of what happens when a child of God keeps his focus upon his Captain.

 

During the past quarter of a century, a philosophy has wormed its way into the minds of many Christians.  It is the idea which places quantity over quality and says that bigger is better.  This unbiblical vein of thought has left many of God’s people discouraged and led many others to accept pragmatism, (the end justifies the means).  Thus, the focus of many Bible-believers has been diverted off of God and onto self.  This leads nowhere but to despair.

 

It is important to note that Jonathan’s focus was not upon the strength of his numbers, of which the grand total was two.  Instead he placed all of his attention upon God.  It would solve many of our problems if we would follow Jonathan’s example.  This does not mean that one should ever be satisfied with the number of souls that he has won to Christ, nor does it imply that he should ever use his “faithfulness” as a cover for his negligence.  However, it should never be assumed that strength or weakness is judged by great numbers or lack thereof.

 

God has absolutely no restraints!  He used a band of three hundred, under the leadership of Gideon, to defeat an army that lay in the valley “like grasshoppers for a multitude” (Judges 7:12-25).  The LORD provide many days of food for the widow and her household with just a little bit meal, some oil, and her obedience (I Kings 17:8-16).  It was just five loaves and two fishes that were brought to the Savior, when He divided them and fed five thousand people (Luke 9:12-17).  The examples could easily continue showing that God is able to do anything but fail.  Thus, it behooves every Christian to concentrate his focus upon the Almighty and continue onward to victory.

 

“Little is much when God is in it, l

Labor not for wealth or fame.

There’s a crown and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus name.”