I Can’t Wear These

After David convinced Saul through much persuasion that he would fight Goliath, King Saul finally consented for the shepherd boy to fight the giant. Saul, however, tried to equip David with his own armor and weapons (1 Sam 17:38-39). Saul tried to fit David in the same armor and weaponry that Goliath had.

However, Saul’s way could not be David’s way. He had never used such equipment, and now was not the time to start! David was not used to the battle regalia of Saul because he was not used to them. David answered, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them.” So he took them off (1 Sam 17:39).

There are so many applications in David’s response to Saul. First, David declared that he would not imitate someone else even though he was pressured. David’s declaration, “I cannot go in these,” was an awareness of his identity in his creator and his appreciation for his gifts.

Fathers can be overbearing with their sons, wanting them to wear their armor and take their path. Husbands can be dominating to their wives, dictating how they should be. People, in general, can be very opinionated about what someone else should be and do.

When a person has understood their place in Christ and refuses to be dragged away from his purpose for their life—they will say, “I cannot go in these.”

Pastors face enormous pressure to put on someone else’s armor. It worked for that pastor. I have discovered over the years that it is a bondage to constantly be trying on someone’s armor, only to realize too late that it does not work. How much better to declare, “I am not comfortable with these.” I will stick with the slingshot and these few stones. God has been with me before, and he will be with me this time.

There was only one way Goliath would be defeated and that was with God’s power. No one could see it except one shepherd boy. He recognized it immediately and wondered why no one else did. He never thought twice about fighting this monster because his confidence in God was so strong.

The gospel of Jesus Christ, like the gospel of David, addresses the real need with the only solution.

Families need the transformative power of Jesus to change.

Marriage needs Jesus to put them back together.

Addictive people cannot change without Jesus’ help.

The sadness and emptiness change when you know the creator.