Last week we learned that we
shouldn't be swayed by the downgrading comments of other people,
but we should listen to God's voice only and follow Him. This is
exactly what David did. He didn't listen to the insulting words of
his brother, but continued with what he felt in his heart. David
continued questioning about Goliath. So much so, that Saul heard of
it and sent for him. David declared that Saul shouldn't be afraid
any longer; he will go and fight the Philistine. And immediately
Saul also tried to discourage him, by saying that he was too young
and not an experienced fighter like Goliath. But still David
wouldn't listen. God placed this conviction in his heart and he
wasn't going to be swayed. He explained to Saul how God has helped
him to kill both a lion and a bear who tried to attack his sheep.
And what I love about David's response is his absolute conviction
that God will help him:
"The Lord, who delivered me
from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will
deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel
17:37
I love it! There is absolutely no
wavering in his faith. There is no maybe God will help, or maybe He
won't. He was absolutely convinced that He would and God honored
that.
Saul could see that David was not
backing down so he agreed that he could go. He also clothed David
with his armor and he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed
him with a coat of mail. But when David tried to walk he couldn't.
It was too heavy for him and didn't fit him at all. He immediately
took it off and simply took his staff and five smooth stones from
the brook.
This was interesting to me. What
Saul was saying in effect was:
"If I had the guts to do this, I
would have worn this. So please take it, hopefully it will help
you."
Luckily David had the sense to
decline. We cannot win the battles wearing someone else's armor.
God has given each of us our own armor to wear. We should honor and
respect that. We shouldn't try to be like someone else. God made us
so unique and special. He has given us all the tools that we need
to succeed. We shouldn't yearn for someone else's.
Sometimes people really mean well,
they really want to help us, but we must still do things our own
unique way. David would never have succeeded wearing Saul's armor.
He would have stumbled and it would have been the end of him. He
didn't try and spare Saul's feelings. No, he declined the armor and
trusted God completely to help him as He had done in the past. His
raw courage inspired a whole army. He demonstrated to all, that out
of his own strength it was impossible to defeat Goliath, but with
God all things are possible! Hallelujah!
Just be yourself. Rejoice in the
victories that God has given to you in the past and be confident
that He will be with you in the future too. Just walk as the
royalty that you are. Do not imitate others and test ALL advice,
even those well-meaning advices, against God's will for your life.
Then go out, be yourself and defeat the enemy.
Thank you for who I am Lord. Thank
you that You made me unique and special, ready to conquer any enemy
with Your help. I praise You that I am more than a conqueror
because Jesus gave me the strength! Hallelujah, I give You all the
honor and glory! Amen