Excuses
Then Saul dressed David in his own
tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.
– 1 Samuel
17:38
He was only a shepherd boy. Sure. He’d been anointed by
Samuel but he was still the same boy. He’d come to bring bread and cheese to
his brothers, who were on the front lines of the fight against the Philistines.
Except no one wanted to take on Goliath. No one was
willing to challenge the giant and almost certainly die. Except for the boy
whose trust in God was so great that he believed God would show His glory by
allowing him to defeat Goliath.
David’s brothers were angry and believed their little
brother was showing out. I suppose it was easier to be offended than to face
the reality that their youngest sibling was braver than they were.
King Saul agreed to let David try. This was long before
he turned on David and tried to have him killed. Saul offered David his
personal armor. His intentions were good but David didn’t need Saul’s armor. He
wasn’t accustomed to it and the very items meant to protect David would have hindered
him.
How often do we try to add resources to what God has
already provided? He’s equipped us for what He has called us to do but we’re
still making excuses. We’re certain that we need something more, something
better, something that will insure victory. It’s easier to trust in a coat of
armor than a God we know but don’t see.
Faith calls us to something greater.
David said to the Philistine, “You come
against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name
of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and
cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine
army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that
there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by
sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will
give all of you into our hands.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47
David wasn’t arrogant because of his own abilities. He
simply knew with deep certainty that God would show up. What would you do if
you knew with that deep certainty that God would show up? Why do you doubt?
We’re all good at making excuses for not doing what we
know God has called us to do. We want the perfect time. We want all the perfect
resources. We want to be in the perfect frame of mind. We want a reason not to try
because when we try we reveal the depth of our faith.
Do you believe? Really? Truly? Then what are you
waiting for? God has already given you everything you need to do what He has
called you to.
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