Warrior Truth: “… the Lord does not save with the sword or with the spear; for the battle is the Lord’s…” 1 Samuel 17 v 47
Our lives are filled with mammoth projects, both at work and home. Projects that demand our attention and energy and even threaten to overwhelm us if we don’t keep on top of them. In connecting with a colleague recently over one such project, we spoke about the challenges he was facing in preparing for the next stage of delivery. He was certainly feeling the pressure to perform at his best with tools he was not completely confident with. As we spoke, he illustrated his plight with a beautiful analogy from the story of David gearing up to face Goliath. He commented on David turning down the use of the king’s armour, not because it wasn’t good armour, but because it wasn’t his armour. He was not used to it and could not move in it. And that is how my colleague was feeling as he was preparing for his upcoming battle. He was being laden with armour and tools that he was not familiar with to do a job that he could more effectively achieve using the tools and strengths he knew and trusted. My encouragement to him to trust what he knew and to draw on his strengths to make the tools work for him seemed insignificant for a moment.
That conversation stirred my spirit (as many of them do). I reread this popular bible story from 1 Samuel 17. David, was a shepherd boy, the youngest son, still a boy and not a trained soldier. He stands out in direct contrast not only to the enemy but also to every one of the Israelite army mentioned. His own brothers are annoyed at his presence. But there is something in his conduct that captures the attention of the king. He is not discounted but sent to fight. He is given armour that is not only fit for a king but is the king’s. David turns down the armour, opting to use the tools he had learned to use on his training ground – the fields where he watched over his father’s flock of sheep. He trusted the tools he had brought with him, his slingshot, and was confident that he could use them to bring that giant to the ground knowing who he was going into battle with.
Warrior Tool: I thought about how often we can discount our own strengths and tools or have our own strengths discounted and overshadowed by others who appear better equipped. Whether as a result of our own disbelief or another’s, the story of David impressed on me that when we use borrowed armour, there is no room for our strengths to shine and no room for God to move. We might get the job done but it comes with stress and strain. We walk away exhausted, with victory having come at a greater cost than intended. God has gifted us with talents and abilities and when we place our trust and confidence in Him, we do not need to be intimidated. Instead we can be confident that we hold in our hands and our hearts the power to bring the giants we face to the ground so that all around would know God is great.
Prayer: Thank you Lord that you are with us in every battle. You call us and equip us to face our giants. Help us to see our strengths and the strengths of others through Your eyes and help us grow in confidence each day, knowing that each day is an opportunity to practice what you have given us, preparing us for our future battles. In whatever battle we face today, Lord, remind us that we do not have to face it alone. You are with us. You save not with sword or spear but with skilled hands and courageous hearts and confident assurance in you. Amen
With God, For His Glory