The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:37
David, could have stumbled clumsily onto that battlefield wearing Saul’s oversized tunic, but he chose not to do so, and that decision probably saved his life. Saul was the expert fighter. He had experience in war and had every right to instruct David, before David stepped into one of the biggest battles of his life. And even though, to the naked eye, David seemed like an inexperienced young boy who should be home taking care of his father’s sheep, he also had a secret weapon, faith in God. Faith that must have grown stronger and stronger every time he called upon God to give him victory over the lions and the bears that threatened his father’s sheep. David knew in his heart, that the same God would be with him in his battle against Goliath. He says in I Samuel 17:37: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” And so, David stepped confidently into that battlefield and moved towards Goliath with nothing more than a stone and a prayer of faith, trusting, not in his own strength and skill, but in the strength of the Almighty God to help him win that battle . Today, we remember him as the best stone thrower there ever was.
The world is filled with Saul’s who want you to wear one tunic or another. If it doesn’t fit, don't put it on. Remove it. God wants to use you just as you are. You don’t have to compete with the talented neighbor, or the expert friend. There’s nothing wrong with them; and there is nothing wrong with you either. You can’t be them; but you can be the best uniquely gifted you. The same God who has given you victory in the past, is ready and willing to give you victory in the present and in the future. To the naked eye, you may look inexperienced, naïve, or unprepared, but if you have faith in God, and trust in your heart, you too can take down the Goliath’s that dare taunt you today. You too can step confidently into the battlefield and slay your giants with faith in your heart, and trust built as you’ve walked in relationship with God. It's his mission. You are merely a vessel.
David’s brothers and the army of Israel must have thought, David was doomed. They were wrong. Doubtless, there are those who will doubt you, but God says, “Put your trust in me, not in man, or systems or processes, but in my ability to triumph over every situation that threatens you and let me prove the doubters wrong again.” This same God who gave you victory in the past, wants to give you victory even now. Take off that clumsy tunic, and be you, just you; uniquely designed, and gifted you. Then get ready through preparation and prayer, and go forth into battle knowing that your raw, unabashed faith in God, is more than enough for the situations that frighten and challenge you.
Dear Father, give me that simple childlike faith, that trusts you to help me handle any situation that threatens me. You are my Solid Rock, all other ground is sinking sand. I relinquish control; I surrender reliance on self. Take over and lead me. Amen.