Nothing Can Hinder the Lord

Nothing Can Hinder the Lord
Monday, July 15, 2024 by Melissa McLaughlin

My heart soared. We had attended a Christian concert with our then-teenage kids. The band’s voices and instruments swelled combining with the vast crowd to lift the name of Jesus through song. It felt heavenly. I watched my kids’ faces alight with divine joy.

Right then, I recalled another time when I sat in the pew of a quiet, country church listening to an elderly gentleman sing a solo with all his heart. The only accompaniment was a piano. Despite the humble setting, my heart was equally moved to worship the Lord. The congregants’ faces glowed with God’s glory.

It struck me. God accomplishes His purposes through many or few. Through modern and simple.

Our goal is to remain close to God and follow Him, wherever He may lead.

This lesson was highlighted for me again during a recent reading of Scripture.

In the book of 1 Samuel, the Israelites rejected God as their King and requested an earthly king to rule over them like their pagan neighbors. God relented and instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as king of Israel.

Unfortunately, Saul’s disobedience and lack of faith in God soon became apparent.

At the start of Saul’s kingship, Samuel directed Saul to wait 7 days until he arrived to make a sacrifice to the LORD. Then Samuel would advise Saul regarding next steps in Israel’s battles against their enemies (1 Samuel 10:8).

Regrettably, Saul waited partway through the 7th day, but did not wait until the end of the 7th day. Saul took matters into his own hands. Saul’s weak faith in God was revealed as he rushed to make a sacrifice rather than wait until Samuel arrived because he felt the Philistines pressing in (1 Samuel 13:8-10).

This disobedience exposed Saul’s trust in himself and his timeline more than in God’s.

Samuel arrived on the scene immediately after Saul’s sinful, self-driven sacrifice. When confronted by Samuel, Saul made excuses and tried to justify his actions, rather than confessing his sin. Samuel told Saul his kingdom would not continue. God sought a new king because Saul did not keep that which the LORD commanded (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

Following this lapse in obedience, Saul took cover in the uttermost part of Gibeah, not daring to confront the Philistines, but remaining a great distance away from their camp (1 Samuel 14:2).

This is when Saul’s son, Jonathan, entered the scene. In contrast to his father’s lack of courage, Jonathan’s unyielding faith was soon to be revealed.

Jonathan suggested to his armor-bearer that the two of them strike a blow against the Philistines. His armor-bearer agreed. Jonathan’s full trust was in the LORD. For how else could two men fight against an entire army?

He told his armor-bearer, “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6 ESV).

Jonathan’s faith strengthened him for this gutsy battle move. He believed the LORD could save the Israelites using just the two of them.

So both showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel” (1 Samuel 14:11-12 NIV).

Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeated many Philistines provoking panic throughout their camp. The LORD caused an earthquake, so the earth and the people trembled. The enemy forces scattered and melted away. Saul noticed the retreat and then rallied the Israelite troops to defend their nation. The LORD saved Israel that day (1 Samuel 14:23).

Israel’s victory was led by the LORD and sparked by a young man’s utter faith in God.

The battle belongs to the LORD. Yet, God invites us to participate in His kingdom plans as we follow Him in total faith.

God does not need our earthly prowess or military might to fulfill His goals. God is not looking for great numbers, just great faith.

He is the Living God, Creator of heaven and earth. One word from Him and it is done. Although God teaches us to walk in wisdom and godly counsel, may we place our full trust in His sovereign power and absolute authority over all.

Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. May we throw our lot in with Him!

Can you remember a time when God proved His unstoppable power in your life?

O Lord, please increase our faith! Give us hearts like Jonathan, ready vessels for your kingdom work to be accomplished through us!

Bible Study
Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin to discover the Truthful Grace and spiritual riches of studying God’s Word. Find joy in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through Biblical Growth and the life-changing truth of His Word.

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