1 Samuel 17:38-39
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off.
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off.
I just revisited the very familiar story of David and Goliath, I was struck by the humorous picture of David in Saul’s armor. Saul was chosen as King of Israel because of his imposing figure, he stood a head taller than everyone else. His armor would have been huge in comparison to this little boy David. He would have looked much like a child playing dress up in his parents’ clothes. Saul’s attempt to dress David in this earthly form of protection reveals the distinction between Saul and David’s source of confidence. Saul had learned to trust in his strength and power. David, on the other hand was just a boy facing a giant that he knew was beyond his ability to defeat. No amount of earthly weapons would change that, yet David had no doubt of the appending victory.In this story we don’t detect even the slightest hint of fear in David. I used to always think of this as a tale of courage and of how God responds to boldness and faith. However, I really think it is more about David’s revelation of the nature of God in his life. David revealed his source of strength when he told of his deliverance from the lion and the bear [1 Samuel 17:34-37]. David was just as helpless against the fierce power of those creatures as he was against the Philistine. I would venture to guess that David’s first encounter with those terrifying beasts was a much different scene than the fearless David we see facing down Goliath. I imagine an image of a panic stricken boy terrified for his life and a powerful loving God overcoming the enemy that was seeking to harm His chosen one. As God revealed himself to David as his protector a bold confidence emerged. David no longer viewed his adversaries in relation to himself or his power, but rather in comparison to his Protector. In God even a giant is no threat.
When we are faced with fear we all so often, like Saul, run to our earthly armor. We try to convince ourselves that the threat is not beyond our own strength or ability to control. We will hide in the false protection of our job, our talents, our education, our drive and diligence, or in our relationships. We will try to stand strong in our pretend courage and act as though we are not afraid, yet God sees the quivering little child beneath the armor. He stands calling us to face the truth that the giant is to big for us. He is asking us to put down our earthy protection and take hold of His armor. An armor not of our strength but rather of His mighty power, His healing truth, His gift of righteousness, His perfect peace, and the power of His Spirit. He is inviting us to walk in the faith that comes from knowing God as our protector. He is inviting us to rest in the shadow of His mighty wings knowing that no advisory will be too big for Him…
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
