“The Lord Will Act on Our Behalf”
“The Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” — 1 Samuel 14:6
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In a small village near North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains, a congregation faced a problem that seemed unsolvable. They had completed a beautiful new church building, eager to dedicate it and begin their worship. But to their dismay, local authorities informed them that the church could not open without a parking lot. With no funds for construction and limited space, the congregation had no solution. So, they turned to prayer, seeking God’s intervention. For three hours, they prayed, asking God to provide a way. At the end of their gathering, the pastor reminded everyone of Jonathan’s words in 1 Samuel: “The Lord will act on our behalf.” That evening, a developer building a nearby shopping mall visited the pastor with an unexpected offer. He needed rocks for his project and was willing to pay if he could remove some from the church property. Removing the rocks left the land flat—just right for a parking lot. The Lord had indeed acted on their behalf, answering their prayer in an unexpected way.
This story echoes Jonathan’s trust in God’s ability to save, as described in 1 Samuel 14. In this passage, Jonathan and his young armour-bearer faced the intimidating Philistine army. Despite being outnumbered and lacking weapons, Jonathan declared, “The Lord will act on our behalf.” He believed that God could bring victory with many or with few. Against all odds, they defeated the Philistines—not because of their own strength, but because they relied on God’s power.
Like Jonathan, we may face times when our challenges feel overwhelming. We may feel outnumbered, unprepared, or simply unable to handle what’s before us. But Jonathan’s faith reminds us that victory doesn’t depend on numbers or strength—it depends on God’s willingness to act on our behalf. Our God is always able and willing to support His people, no matter what challenges we face. He invites us to trust Him, even when things seem impossible, knowing that “nothing can hinder the Lord.”
This month, as we observe All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days and prepare for Remembrance Sunday, we honour those who have gone before us, remembering God’s faithfulness in their lives. The stories of the saints remind us that God has always acted on behalf of His people, providing strength, courage, and grace in hard times. Their lives encourage us to remember that the same God who was faithful to them is faithful to us today.
Think of a small candle in a dark room. Though tiny, its light shines brightly, filling even the darkest corners. Our faith in God’s power is like that candle; even in the face of huge challenges, a small spark of faith can shine brightly enough to bring hope and clarity. Just as Jonathan’s faith led to victory, our faith can light our way forward, trusting that God can make a way.
As we step into this new month, may we find the courage to trust that God will act on our behalf, just as He did for Jonathan, the North Carolina congregation, and all the saints before us. No matter our circumstances, we can bring our concerns, fears, and hopes to God, knowing that He sees our needs and acts out of His love for us.
May this promise fill our hearts with hope and our steps with courage in this new month. Let us move forward in faith, for the Lord will indeed act on our behalf. Amen.
May God bless you all.
In Christ's love,
Revd. Prasad Vasanthakumar
Minister, London Tamil Christian Congregation