It is sometimes said that ‘Less is more’, and isn’t that a good thing! In God’s economy it is often the case.
Have you seen the stealth movement of the Lord’s hand? Only after the fact we see evidences, so answer ‘No’, because we seldom detect His deft movement and He is … stealth, yes? What He does is just ‘there’, and how it gets ‘there’ is only known by Him. He is amazing that way.
Biblical accounts where less is more:
1) My first Old Testament reading for this New Year was Judges 7. Here the Lord reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to 300 with trumpets, torches and pitchers (pitchers?) to initiate a fight against the Midianites and Amalekites. Scripture notes the enemy were “as numerous as locusts”, and “were without number as the sand by the seashore in multitude.”, numbering about 135,000 ~ pretty awesome odds. Under the Lord’s direction Gideon’s men broke pitchers, sounded their horns, and shouted “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God then caused confusion among the enemy and they fled terrified, were pursued and conquered. That is so amazing!
2) In a different account, the Lord instructed Joshua in the taking of Jericho, a walled city. He was to march his men around Jericho once a day for six days and on the seventh day to march around seven times. The priests were to then blow their trumpets, and in doing so the walls fell down and his men were able to take the city! (Joshua 6)
3) There is a story about David, when as a boy, slew the enemy giant Goliath with a sling and a stone then cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword. There’s justice! (1 Samuel 17)
4) Jesus, the Lord Himself fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14). And at another time He fed 4,000 with a seven loaves and a few fish (Matthew 15). These numbers do not include the women and children that were present.
There are many stories of God able to do much with very little and it is here where God receives the glory for what He accomplishes.
“Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8
And where I am not able, I trust in His strength to cover. He is preparing not only the work in Israel in the hearts who will hear His word, He is preparing me and my heart in many ways. The excellent thing in this is that it will be another witness to the Israelis. The application shows that the Lord is just as able now as in the time of Joshua to save, but He wants to save also in the eternal matters. Teaching His word and living by example is a powerful witness. I will not be arriving with what appears to be much of anything, but will be seeking to uplift, help, and teach those in need and who are seeking Him. His word may not seem like much to many, but it is eternal salvation for those who believe and what greater gift could I bring than the knowledge of reconciliation to our Creator through Jesus Christ, God incarnate. He is so stealth ~ He gets all the glory.
I long to be there to help bring hope to those who need hope. The list of their needs is the same as in any country, even here in the USA. So why am I going and not staying here?
- November 2009 while in Jerusalem, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart very strongly that I needed to move out from the USA and return to Jerusalem. This alone is enough but there is more...
- The Lord also tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Matthew 28:19.
- “Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And He said ”Go, and tell this people:…” Isaiah 6:8-9a
- There are few who are willing or are free enough in their lives to go, but I am and I trust this is God’s timing.
- It is time ~ I have been actively working here for the past 14 years in local outreach and have been on 11 overseas short-term outreach trips (all provided by the Lord). It is time for me to move out on a long term basis.
- Lastly, through all the varied outreaches I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this very time. “For such a time as this….” As the Scripture says:
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance
will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.
Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14
How can one possibly read such a verse and not respond? I am griped by it and cannot think of a better work to be doing than to take His word to those under fire from an enemy who wants to annihilate them.
So why am I still here? I don’t fully know! Though I can give 1001 reasons why my heart desires to be in Israel right now I can see 1001 things that have come to pass here these past few months showing me why I am not. It is not time, close, but not yet. And I will probably leave with less that I think necessary, but will trust the Lord to provide the rest.
One can only image the circumstances the Israelis are in on a daily basis and of the struggles that plague their lives. I desire to be about His work. May He open the door no one can shut.
"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door,
and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength,
have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8
A little strength?….yes, less is indeed more when our Almighty God is behind it.
