Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. The Doctrine of the Few. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people, for ye were the fewest of all people. Deuteronomy seven seven. Modern people, even Christians, tend to measure success in terms of bigness.
God's measure, on the other hand, is based on quality, not quantity. There were undoubtedly millions of people on the earth, for example, when the flood came in the days of Noah, but only a few that is, eight souls, were saved as the waters lifted up the ark. A few centuries after the flood, populations had again increased, and great nations developed in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and elsewhere. But God called one man, Abraham, to establish a new nation. Many great nations came from Abraham, but again, God chose only one, Israel, to inherit the promise.
Israel did grow, but as our text shows, even this chosen nation was nearly always insignificant compared to other nations. In Israel's history, many instances are recorded when God used just a few to battle many. God used Gideon's 300 men to defeat 135,000 Midianites. Similar deliverances occurred in the days of David, Assa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and others. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus told his disciples that, where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
He also said to them, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. God's criterion is motivation rather than multiplication. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. but those few will be faithful servants and will some day hear him say, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Matthew 25, 21. If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/slash donate. Your gift of any amount helps us to reach others with biblical truth and encouragement.
Thanks for listening. We hope you'll start each day with days of praise.
