One Person Makes a Difference

“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.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

Jonathan was a son of King Saul and an Israelite officer. He made this statement at a time when the Philistines oppressed Israel and King Saul did nothing about it. Instead, Saul “…tarried under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;” (1 Samuel 14:2) If many people in Israel seemed content to let the ungodly Philistines have dominion, Jonathan was not one of them.

Jonathan loved the Lord and he was brave. He knew someone needed to do something. He was willing to put his life on the line to be that someone. He and his armourbearer would trust God and fight against a Philistine garrison of about twenty soldiers. They would be outnumbered ten to one, but they would win. Their valor would inspire others in Israel to take up the fight, and with God’s blessing, defeat would be turned to victory because one person was willing to do what was right.

Another verse about “one person”: Later in Israel’s history, they had descended into wicked behavior. God had sent prophets to warn them to repent. They did not. God also said, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30) God was looking for one person–just one–to ask His mercy on the nation. Just one person would have made a difference.

Here is another verse about “one person”: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6)

“Bearing precious seed” refers to telling people how to receive Jesus as Saviour. You plant the “precious seed” of Scripture in their hearts; whether verbally, with a gospel tract, or otherwise. You “go forth and weep” because you care about their souls, even if you are not actually crying.

Telling others about Jesus is never a waste of time or effort. A person who does this “…shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [the fruit of his labor, people who have heard him and responded by receiving Jesus as Saviour] with him.” You may not see results right away, just like you don’t see results right away when you plant seeds. No doubt some people may not care to hear you. Some results of your labor you may not even see in this life.

Yet God’s Word says you will one day see the results of your labour. When you do, it will be joyful seeing how by God’s grace, you guided people to Jesus.

If you know Jesus as Saviour, these words are here for you. Please do not think you’re “just” one person. One person can make a big difference. One person who prays can make a difference. One person telling others about Jesus and sharing God’s Word can make a difference. Wherever you are, you can make a difference in people’s hearts and lives, here and eternally. God’s Word says so.

Finally, if you want to see how to have your forgiveness of sins and eternal life, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click, “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 7/20/2022

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822