1 Samuel 14:6
And 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. And 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.
There is no restraint upon the Lord to save, for His power is not limited by the size of the human force and He can bring victory and deliverance through a few as readily as through many. Jonathan, moved by a divine impulse, went forward fearlessly with his armor-bearer in dependence on God alone rather than on strength or military advantage, trusting that God might work through their daring effort. The Lord prospered their attack, shielding them with angels fighting by their side and throwing the Philistines into fear and confusion until they turned upon one another, and the deliverance was wrought for His own name's glory rather than for Israel's valor or wisdom. Success in battle and in His work does not depend on strength, numbers, or appearances, and human weakness cannot hinder Him when His servants trust in Him and move forward in faith. He is honored not so much by great number as by the character of those who serve Him, and He is still willing to accomplish great things through weak people who rely wholly on Him and surrender self, bringing victory through few rather than many.
Jonathan's Act of Faith
The Philistines held a steep, strongly guarded position while Israel appeared weak. Jonathan was the king's son who feared God, a righteous man moved by a divine impulse and chosen as the instrument to deliver Israel. His armor-bearer was a man of faith and prayer who encouraged the plan. The two withdrew from Israel's camp in secret lest their purpose be opposed as presumptuous, committing their undertaking to God with earnest prayer and seeking God's counsel.
Jonathan did not act presumptuously or rush forward, unlike Saul whose presumptuous offering lost him the honor of leading Israel in battle. Jonathan and his armor-bearer went forward fearlessly in dependence on God alone rather than on their own strength or military advantage. They trusted that God was free to save by whatever means He chose and might work through their daring effort. The Lord prospered their attack on the Philistine garrison and camp, and through Jonathan and his armor-bearer alone God subdued the Philistines and helped deliver Israel.
Angels protected and shielded them from death and fought by their side, so that the Philistines fell, seized with fear and thrown into confusion, with the earth trembling and the enemy turning to slaughter one another. The deliverance was wrought by the Lord for His own name's glory, magnifying God's name rather than Israel's righteousness, valor, or wisdom. In this way the heathen army could not triumph over His people and exalt itself against God.
God Saves by Many or Few
There is no restraint on the Lord to save, for His power is not limited by the size of the human force at His disposal. He can bring victory, deliverance, and salvation through a few as readily as through many, rescuing with only a small band as surely as with a large army. God alone gives success in the battle, and that success does not depend on strength, numbers, or appearances. Human weakness does not hinder His work, nor does the smallness of the human workforce limit Him.
He is honored not so much by great number as by the character and moral worth of those who serve Him. He draws the dividing line between those who bear His name by profession and those whose character shows them to be His children, who fear Him, listen to His counsels, and obey them. A large church is not necessarily a strong church, for members cherishing selfishness, pride, unbelief, dishonesty, and corruption in heart and life are a source of weakness and bring His frown. It is better for the cause of truth when those absorbed with private interests separate from His work rather than exert a dangerous influence by wrong example, just as anciently those whose worldly interests would draw their hearts from His work were bidden to return to their homes.
His work advances through human agents who move forward in His name, because He works with His faithful laborers. The success of the work and the salvation of souls do not depend on the number carrying the message. Those serving Him are to trust in the living God and move forward in faith, relying on His help rather than appearances. As in Jonathan's time, He is willing to accomplish great things through weak people who rely wholly on Him and work humbly, bringing victory through few rather than many. Those who set aside self-importance may succeed where more talented people fail, for victory comes through entire surrender to Jesus, not through numbers.
So He sustained Gustavus II and his small Swedish army as they fought against the far greater imperial forces and delivered oppressed Protestant nations.