A Tale of Two Armors

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.

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.

Paradox of Faith

What is God like? We spend much of our Christian life searching to answer this question. We have sought to discover Him in what we read about Him, in what others say, and in the experiences that have shaped our lives. We hear words meant to describe Him, beautiful words like… holy, powerful, merciful, gracious, loving, omnipresent, creator, and father. We tend to apply what our lives have taught us about such words, then give them a slightly loftier meaning and attach them to our image of God. In God however, these meanings are altogether different than anything we have ever known. For example, God’s love is not a higher version of my love for my wife; it is wholly different. We must accept that God’s nature is far outside the realm of our own understanding, and our attempt at making Him fit our definitions simply creates a god of our own imagination.

The tragedy is that we have become more comfortable with the gods we have created! Although it is only a broken picture of a god, at least we know what to expect. If we let go of the safety of the god of our imagination and accept that He is beyond our ability to comprehend, how then can we know what He is like? How do we trust that He is safe? So, in an attempt to hide from the fear of Him we create a god we can control. We pray to this image of the god we have created and wait for it to respond and confirm what we have believed about him. However, God in His grace withholds the answer we expect and seeks instead to reveal the truth of who He is… it is only in finding Him in truth that we are set free. [John 8:32]


When we begin to allow God to be just who He is, we will be confronted by His vastness, His holiness, His limitless power, and the infinite nature of His being. Our hearts will tell us to fear that which we can’t control; we will be tempted to return to our created god for we think him safer. However, we must resist, for when we come before Him just as He is we will encounter a love that only infinite perfection allows. We will be compelled to walk in the grace that only His limitless goodness and all sufficiency make possible. Our heart will begin to find rest in the unchanging nature of God. We will soar with the confidence of knowing He will not change His attitude towards us. When we let go of the image of our created god we open the door to the place where the limitless power of God meets His tender mercies, were His justice meets the cross of Christ and where His unfathomable wisdom meets the heart of the Father. When we cease trying to make God understandable and allow Him to draw our fearful hearts towards his Majesty, we will soon discover that the very traits which had compelled us to fear will become the source of our strength and everlasting joy! As the truth of God penetrates our heart, faith is born. It will no longer be a faith based in our own merit or goodness, but rather a faith grounded in the confidence of beginning to know something of what God is really like!

“The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid –that is the paradox of faith.” – A.W. Tozer

Child of God

I had another topic in mind as I went to write this, however since fatherhood is all so new to me I am compelled to write about my baby girl again. An amazing thing about my daughter is that life is so new for her. It is not often you get to see someone forming their beliefs and expectations from the start. The way a new baby learns to process life before all the brokenness of the world gets in the way, is taking me back to the start of where I think faith should begin, back to the simplicity of a parent and a child. My daughter’s new identity is being shaped by her perception of my attitude towards her. As I am learning how to love her, God is calling me back to an identity formed by His attitude towards me.

One thing you will quickly notice about my child is that she is so alert, she is always looking, reaching, touching, and tasting as she tries to take in the world around her and put all the information together. Though her understanding is very limited you can see that she is beginning to recognize something… her mommy and daddy! Although she does not fully grasp who I am, she does know that when she is upset and frightened, she will find me kind and caring. She knows that when I greet her in the morning she can expect a warm hug and a goofy grin… she may even get the daddy dance! She may not wholly know why, but being in the presence of her mommy and daddy brings her a feeling of contentment and well being. Her experiences with us are teaching her that we can be trusted. As I hold her in my arms, she will reach out her hand to touch my face; she searches out my eyes and just seems to get lost in the discovery of how it feels to be loved.

As I sit and hold my daughter I softly sense the voice of the Father calling me to be His child. He is inviting me to crawl into His lap and curl-up in His arms, to reach for His face and to get lost in His eyes as I discover how it feels to be loved. Though I may not fully grasp all the mysteries of who God is, I can know that He is my daddy and I am safe in His arms… I think this is a great place to restart the journey of knowing Him!

'Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God' - John 1:12

Did you just call me a Sheep…?

John 10:14
14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—


As I write this I am pondering my life and frankly I am a little embarrassed by the up and down nature of my emotions. One day I can take on the world, yet the next I don’t want to get out of bed. Someone may speak a word of encouragement to me and I'll feel a swell of confidence about who I am, yet I can soon be hit with a crippling sense of insecurity. I believe the rollercoaster nature of my life comes down to my search for identity. I am constantly searching for who I am. Each day I subconsciously compile information about myself… do people seem to like me… do I make them laugh… do they think I’m someone… was I noticed for the job I did at work? I then take all the information, add it up and draw a conclusion. If I don’t like the result I may try and be someone different the next day. No wonder my attitude about myself varies so much from moment to moment! God never meant for me to spend so much of my efforts on this search for self. He very clearly told me who I am and gave me a metaphor to help me remember. He called me a sheep… A sheep!

Could He not have found a better metaphor? How about one I can identify with a little easier! Maybe an eagle soaring proudly through a canyon or say a fierce lion taking down a wildebeest… something… anything… just not a sheep!! Sheep are the dumbest animals on the face of the earth! A Sheep can drown in a mud puddle or plunge to its death because one of its buddies walks off a cliff. A sheep can’t even turn themselves over when they roll on their back (I may have put on some weight, but I am not to that point yet). Is God just insulting me or is there perhaps something else to be drawn from this comparison?

I think God meant the comparison to be a gift that ends our struggle for identity. Think for a moment about the other animals. An eagle draws confidence from the power of its wings or a lion from the strength of it jaw. A sheep however, is completely dependant on its shepherd for its well being. A good shepherd is always preparing the pasture for his flock, if the pasture is no longer just right, he will move them to a better place. Sheep can not protect themselves; therefore, a good shepherd must be on constant alert for predators. Sheep are so prone to wander that the shepherd must always be ready to go after them and bring them back to the safety of his pasture. Healthy and unhealthy sheep are no different from each other; each is equally unable to care for its needs, each has the same tendencies and faults. Healthy sheep are only identified as such because of the meticulous care of their shepherd. The same is true for me. When I can humbly admit that I am just a simple sheep, I can cease trying to find my identity in anything other than my Shepherd. Here I find the freedom to trust in His strength and no longer feel the need to prove my own. I can begin to rest knowing the Shepherd is attentive to my needs. I will find my significance in my Shepherds call to be part His flock. No longer do I need to discover who I am, because I have found my identity… I am a sheep of the good Shepherd!

Micah 5:4
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

The Heart of a Father

I am a proud (very proud) father of a nearly 6 month old little girl. She has come into our life and turned everything on its head! Sleep is no longer a simple pleasure, instead several hours of sleep in a row is now something to be celebrated! She is the smallest member of our household, yet she is also the most demanding. Most of the day is spent making sure her needs are met… did she sleep enough… eat enough… get her bath… is her diaper clean? After all that work the least she could do is say thank you!!! I do all this for her even though she can do nothing for me. Yet, I love her deeper than I ever thought possible! It is a joy just to hold her. I would give my life for her without a second thought. My daughter is giving me a clearer understanding of unconditional love. I desire nothing from her, other than her own happiness. I know as I walk down the road of fatherhood the limits of my own humanity will begin to interfere with this picture of love. I know my selfishness, pride, and insecurity will cloud the heart of the Father working through me. However, the heart that beats in me for my little girl is giving me a clearer picture of the Father’s heart. When I am confronted by the limits of my own humanity I am overjoyed by the perfect love of God. If my broken and frail heart can love this little child so deeply, what must the love of God actually be like? If I can be overcome with joy by her simple smile, how much more must this be true of God? If I can deeply desire my daughter’s highest good, how great must God’s plan for us truly be? If my heart is gripped by the tears and pain of my child, must God not also be attentive to our cries?

God is supremely powerful and completely perfect in His being. There is no end to the depths of His wisdom. He is in need of nothing and His goodness, mercy, and love will never change nor alter. Yet, He chose to be identified as Father! A father unlike any we have known on earth, a father who knows the deepest hurts of his children and responds with His healing embrace. A Father of truly unconditional, perfect love… He fully loves us even though we can give nothing back! At the core of this great and mighty God beats the loving, warm and protecting heart of a father… what a joy and honor to be the objects of His affection!!!

Galatians 4:6 6
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

Economic Prospective

All the talk these days seems to be about ‘this economy’! It seems all the voices around me are telling me to be afraid. In the midst of all that seems to be failing around me, I am left with one question... can I trust Him? When I allow my fear to tell me He can not be trusted I want to run to my own strength. Yet, the circumstances around me have shown me the pointlessness of my own self reliance. I am left with no other option but to trust Him. However, this leaves me with a problem... I don't really know Him. I know only a broken image of Him. I have created a god of my own imagination, an image formed out of my own brokenness. If I am going to trust Him, I must know the truth of Him. No longer can I settle for our culture’s definition of His goodness. I must know the unfathomable reaches of His goodness. I must learn of His grace that is beyond limits. If I am to live this life in faith then I must know Him beyond the bounds of knowledge to the point of experience. I must let go of my picture of Him and allow the image that only the brush in the Master’s hand can paint. I must let go of my imperfect view of Him and allow His presence to reveal the perfection of Him. I want to live through this time in relationship with Him, a relationship that allows me to fully drink from the wonder of Him.

This is truly a difficult time in terms of the world’s economy! However, I believe we can look back on this time as the most blessed! God is revealing Himself in the midst of all the madness. The truths of the Kingdom of God are on display and this is our chance to let go of cultural Christianity and grab hold of our God as never before. God is calling us to the adventure of truly living in His care. Let Him use the fear around you to bring you to the lasting peace of resting in His gentle hands… What a time to be a Christian!!!

Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

God Revealed

7”If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7)

Imagine what was in the minds of the disciples at this statement. They had grown up with stories of God far different from what they had seen in Jesus. The accounts of God speaking forth creation, and delivering His people from Egypt would have no doubt given them a picture into the power of God. They would have heard stories of God leading His people as a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. Stories of Mount Sinai covered in smoke with thunder and lighting flashing as God descends to inscribe the 10 commandments would have brought thoughts of God’s might and holiness. The God they had imagined was powerful, yet unapproachable and frightening…

Jesus however, had intoxicated them! When he said follow me they could not say no, he had captured them. He was warm, inviting, and amazing. They would recall their trip to the little town of Nain [Luke 7:11-15] and the shock they felt as Jesus barged into a funeral to comfort a woman who and lost her only son. They remember the tenderness in his voice as he tells her not to cry and the wonder they felt as his touch raised the man to life. They’ll never forget the joyous smile Jesus had on his face as he gave the woman back her son. Or maybe they would remember how indignant Jesus became as they tried to keep the little children [Mark 10:13-1] from him and how quickly his indignation turned to tenderness as he held the children in his arms.

How could this Jesus who they had lived with, prayed with, cried with, and even laughed with be the God who created them? How could he be the God they had longed to know, but had always feared? Could it be true that God was among them and that he had longed for them to know Him?
Could it be true for us? How could the great and powerful God of heaven have come to earth so that we could know Him? Know him not as a flame in a bush, or as a fire in the sky. But to know him as he truly is, a God of compassion and love. He is a God who reacts to the hurting of his people and who holds His children tenderly in His arms. Now thanks to Jesus we have a glimpse into the nature of God and access to His presence. There starts the amazing journey of letting the knowledge of Him captivate our minds and change our hearts…