"I cannot go in these"
Sophie - January 7, 2011
This morning I was reading the story of David and Goliath, and something jumped out at me that I've never noticed before.
Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 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. - 1 Samuel 17:38-39, NIV
Did anybody else catch that? David's going into battle against Goliath. Saul's trying to prepare him. But David has the wherewithal to know that what has worked for Saul - the armor and the helmet and the whole shebang - isn't going to work for him.
The Message translation says this:
Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off.
In the end David goes with what he knows: a staff, five smooth stones, and a slingshot. It wasn't the most sophisticated line of defense, but David knew that it was exactly how he needed to face his foe. He didn't go back on his word to fight Goliath when Saul strapped on all that armor; he just had the courage to speak up and stand up for what was going to give him the best shot at defeating the Philistine.
(Please pardon the pun.)
(I couldn't resist.)
(I do apologize.)
It occurred to me a few minutes ago that, as women, we can sometimes feel self-conscious if we don't fight our battles the same ways the people around us are fighting theirs. We fall into those traps of self-doubt, insecurity and comparison, and we think we have to "suit up" for the stuff in our lives just like the person down the street has suited up for hers. But that's just not true.
The Holy Spirit is going to lead all of us differently as we tend to the business of this life. Let's be courageous enough (and oh have mercy am I ever talking to myself here) to realize that we don't have to walk around wearing a uniform that's way too heavy and cumbersome for us - even though it may have worked really well for the last person who wore it.
We need to be so careful that we don't fall into the trap of feeling like serving God and serving our families requires following somebody else's formula, you know?
Let's follow David's lead today and have the courage to realize when we need to throw off the stuff that may have worked for somebody else - but might not necessarily be the best way for us.
Have a great weekend, y'all!
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (12)
All I can say is, “Wow!” Awesome Bible verses, and great interpretation that is applicable to all of us. Thank you for the message this morning!
Posted on January 7, 2011 9:13 AM
I just stumbled on your blog and I’m so glad I did! What a perfect message for “us girls”. We (I!) tend to follow the crowd in a lot of situations and forget that with the courage God provides, we (I!) can do things differently…more comfortably…and sometimes more correctly. Thanks for sharing your great insight. Kate
Posted on January 7, 2011 10:01 AM
Great point. I am struggling with grief and severe depression right now, and I find myself wanting to ask others how they got through similar traumas. Then I tell myself - it doesn’t matter how long it took them or how they did it because they are not me.
I want to be open to encouragement and direction that God might give me through others, but I should not feel guilty if it is taking me longer than someone else to get through this painful season. I can’t compare my pain to theirs, because it is different.
It is going to take as long as it takes, and the only One who knows how long and how to deal with it is Jesus.
Posted on January 7, 2011 10:15 AM
How often I have looked at somebody else and thought maybe I should do what they do and it will work for and it doesn’t thank you for the message and the verses that is good I will have to remember that one. Have a good weekend Carol
Posted on January 7, 2011 10:36 AM
So true! Point taken. Really needed to hear this at this particular time in my life. Thanks.
Posted on January 8, 2011 11:47 AM
Sophie-this was such a good Word and so what I needed-thanks!
Posted on January 8, 2011 10:09 PM
Amen Sister! God is honored when we come to Him and are used by Him just as we are. It’s how He works through us the best! He didn’t tell us to be imitators of others, to put on the armor that works for someone else. He wants us to imitate Christ! To come as we are and let Him have His perfect way in us!
Good word Sophie!
Posted on January 9, 2011 2:07 PM
What a great message for today! Needed to hear that….thank you!
Posted on January 9, 2011 7:42 PM
I really enjoyed this post! What is even more amazing to me is that I just read a passage from Jentezen Franklin’s book, Connect With God…and it was about this exact message!! Jentezen says, “David destroyed Goliath because he ‘faith trained’ with a lion and bear. He refused to wear King Saul’s armor, because he knew you can’t use somebody else’s workout regimen to kill your Goliath.” Jentezen also said as a closing, “What you’re going through right now is just equipping you to handle what God has for you in the future.”It is to build up your own formula against the enemy. Sorry, I am late on making a comment to this! I just now found the blog site! :)
Posted on January 14, 2011 4:13 PM
Thanks, Erica, for mentioning that book. Sounds like the author is much more eloquent than I am - but it’s good to know that I wasn’t way out in left field with my post. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder, you know. :-)
Posted on January 14, 2011 4:29 PM
Sophie,
No,I thought your post was great! It was just odd/amazing how I just read that and then saw this post about it. God is charming! I love Jentezen Franklin..I recommend anything by him. He is an awesome pastor/evangelist. His videos are also profound. Thank you for welcoming me to your blessed blog :)
Posted on January 14, 2011 5:20 PM
Thank you so much, Erica - hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Posted on January 14, 2011 6:18 PM