Encouragement for Today - Jan. 14, 2011

January 14, 2011
Many Or Few
Marybeth Whalen 

"Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, ‘Come let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.'"

I Samuel 14:6 (NIV)         

Devotion:
One woman has meager resources to fund her family's needs. She operates in the few.

One woman has so many opportunities to serve she feels overwhelmed. She wants to do what God wants, but she can't figure out how to handle it all. She operates in the many.

One woman wants to pursue a dream she's been secretly harboring but there never seems to be enough time. She operates in the few.

One woman has lots of extended family members who need her attention and time. She operates in the many.

One woman's husband has all but stopped talking to her. She misses the love they once shared, even took for granted. He has no time for her and hardly ever looks at her. She operates in the few.

One woman has fears that grip her. She worries about her future, her children's health, the economy, her marriage. She operates in the many.

What about you? What's your circumstance? What in your life needs to be saved? You might not be facing a deadly battle like Jonathan and his armor bearer, but one thing I can guarantee, we all need to be saved from something.

Here's the great part: This verse tells us that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving us in all circumstances—whether we are operating in the category of many or few. We can count on Him to move on our behalf.

So many times I look at my lack and throw up my hands. I only see the limits. Jonathan and his armor bearer were just two men. They knew their limits but they didn't let that keep them from trusting the Lord to move on their behalf.

Likewise, I can look at my abundance—of demands, of needs, of people, of financial responsibilities—that I need to attend to and let that overwhelm me. I only see the crushing load.

Jonathan chose not to look at the many men facing them, but to turn his eyes to God. He knew God is not hemmed in by earthly circumstance.

Many or few, it matters not. Our security can not come from our situation. Today as you face life's challenges, look for the few and for the many. Then tell God exactly what Jonathan said: Perhaps You will act on my behalf. I trust what You choose to do. Nothing can hinder You from saving, whether by many or by few.

Dear Lord, I am so grateful that You are not hindered by my circumstances. Help me to look past my lack or my abundance, straight into Your eyes. Help me to realize that You are at work in my many and in my few. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Visit Marybeth's blog for more encouragement today!

Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen

From Financially Frantic to Financially Free (CD) by Marybeth Whalen

The Mailbox by Marybeth Whalen 

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Application Steps: 
Copy this verse into your journal and then write the statement: "My security can not come from my situation." Spend time thinking about that today.

Reflections: 
What is your few?

What is your many?

How are you letting either keep you from trusting fully in God?

Power Verses:

Zechariah 4:6, "So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV) 

I Samuel 17:47, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (NIV)

© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

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