During the American Revolutionary War, Captain William Jones of the U.S. Continental Army and Marine Corps placed a recruiting plea in The Providence Gazette. The slogan asked for “a few good men” to enlist as Marines for naval duty in 1779. The Lord God of Israel also seeks a few spiritually unwavering warriors: “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God” (Psalm 14:2).
We are living in difficult times. The call for the few can bring trials and tribulations, which may deter some from joining. The Lord encourages us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). So, why worry? Here are three exhortations to fortify your faith in difficulty.
Don’t Be Distressed
Israel engaged in appalling apostasy during the Judges period; they did not know or follow the Lord (Judges 2:10). It was also a dangerous and difficult era. On one occasion, God allowed the Midianites to rob the harvests and cattle, leaving the Israelites destitute. The people soon cried out to the Lord for help (6:6). So, the Lord called an ordinary, lowly man named Gideon to vanquish the Midianites. He gathered 32,000 warriors, but God reduced his army to only 300 unarmed men (7:4–22).
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
God showed Israel that even against great odds, victory comes through Him alone.
By using an insignificant man to lead a remnant few, God showed Israel that even against great odds, victory comes through Him alone.
Why let distress keep you from joining the few? David experienced a lot of stress, but after the Lord delivered him from all his enemies, he composed and sang, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears” (Psalm 18:6).
Don’t Be Discouraged
The prophet Elijah thought he was alone and wanted to die. He had just won a great victory against 450 prophets of Baal for the Lord (1 Kings 18). But, he soon fled in fear of Jezebel, who threatened his life (19:1–4). He complained to God, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (v. 10). The Lord told him he was not alone, for there were a faithful few: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (v. 18).
Don’t be discouraged from joining God’s faithful few! As He told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed [discouraged], for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Don’t Be Disheartened
Odd as it may seem, God delights in using the weakness of the few for His glory. The Lord told the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Odd as it may seem, God delights in using the weakness of the few for His glory.
David was an insignificant shepherd boy who slayed a giant, ruled as king of Israel, and was part of Jesus’ lineage. The disciples were a simple ordinary group, yet God used them to spread the gospel worldwide. Paul, a former Pharisee, viewed himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). After his encounter with Jesus, he dedicated himself to preaching the Good News throughout the ancient world. The church at Sardis was a spiritually dead church (Revelation 3:1). Yet, the Lord recognized a faithful few that had “not defiled their garments … for they are worthy” (v. 4). The modern State of Israel has almost always been outnumbered in wars by its enemies and terrorists, yet God will use it as His remnant of the few to bring light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
The Lord always seeks a few good men and women who have the inner steadfastness to do everything they can for Him (Psalm 31:1–3; Titus 1:7–9). He empowers us to “be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6) and calls us to a lifetime of faithful service as soldiers, whether in our daily lives, relationships, or ministries.
It’s amazing that God uses the least of us to accomplish His plans. Don’t be distressed, discouraged, or disheartened; rejoice for the honor of being part of an elite fellowship of the few!
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Excellent and timely
Especially for today’s remnant.