Most of us do not enjoy feeling outnumbered in almost any setting. Our workplace, personalities, hobbies and interests, political leanings, personal preferences, favorite sports team…the list keeps going! I think the main reason we don’t prefer this is because it’s uncomfortable. Even though I know that I grow when I’m uncomfortable, I usually try too much to avoid it!
There are times when feeling comfortable and having that desire is valid and appropriate. But if you are a Christian, there are times when it’s not – like when we neglect the growth opportunities in our life or the needs of others because of our own comfort.
As you open the pages of Scripture, you quickly see a narrative unfolding where people allow their comfort to get the best of them because they don’t want to be outnumbered. And this is the same struggle we have today. But when you feel outnumbered because of your faith and relationship with the Lord, it’s because you are.
Place yourself with me in the context of the book of 1 Samuel. Israel has finally made it to the promised land and settled in. However, the longer they were there, the more comfortable they became. God raised up judges to judge the people and lead them back to the Lord. You will see though that as the Old Testament carries on, the need for a Savior becomes greater and greater. No prophet, judge or king could alone fix this problem. The number that feared the Lord seemed to be small, but the ones that did fear the Lord were honored, blessed and recognized. God saw them. They may have been outnumbered, but they counted the cost and knew it was worth it, despite their lack of comfort.
Let’s look at some examples of Samuel, a prophet and judge, living a life of being outnumbered. For each section below, the first verse will represent what the majority of people were doing – sinning against the Lord, and the second will represent Samuel – being outnumbered and living for the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:12 – “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they did not respect the Lord ”
1 Samuel 2:11 – “Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy served the Lord in the presence of the priest Eli. ”
1 Samuel 2:17 – “So the servants’ sin was very severe in the presence of the Lord, because the men treated the Lord’s offering with contempt. ”
1 Samuel 2:18 – “Samuel served in the Lord’s presence…”
1 Samuel 2:22-23 – “Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people.”
1 Samuel 2:21 – “The Lord paid attention to Hannah’s need, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. ”
1 Samuel 2:24-25 – “No, my sons, the news I hear the Lord’s people spreading is not good. If one person sins against another, God can intercede for him, but if a person sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him? ” But they would not listen to their father…”
1 Samuel 2:26 – “By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. ”
1 Samuel 3:1b – “In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.”
1 Samuel 3:1a – “The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence.”
In just two chapters, we see a clear picture of not just a family, but the majority of a community beginning to neglect the Lord. It may seem like none were on the right track, but the Biblical author goes out of His way to highlight Samuel. If you go back to the verses I mentioned, you will see three words highlighted: Meanwhile and By contrast. These words are used to set Samuel apart from the others and catch your attention.
Let’s go back to something I said in the beginning: When you feel outnumbered because of your faith and relationship with the Lord, it’s because you are.
It is normal to feel outnumbered as a follower of Jesus. Many, many people do not know the Lord and desire His ways. They haven’t tasted and seen the good news of Christ, and their hearts aren’t willing to surrender.
In Matthew 7, Jesus says this: “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”
So, Samuel was outnumbered. And if you follow Jesus today, you are as well. The Scriptures continue to highlight this until the end.
BUT, you can take heart because God has a specific purpose for you to fulfill. More people will step out of darkness and into light, because of your testimony and influence. And although the path is narrow for the Christian, we are not alone. We have Christ and we have each other, the church. There are Christians all around the world and in your community, that are seeking the Lord and desiring to spread His name. And as Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Will we each rise up in our context, to share Christ with those we encounter? We may be outnumbered, but people are seeking and searching. Jesus is who they are looking for. Take heart and live with purpose!
Matthew Weaver 