Choose Your Weapons

“There came from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath… He had a helmet of bronze.., a coat of mail,.. a javelin of bronze.., and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron… The Philistine said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words, they were dismayed and greatly afraid…

“David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart fail because of him. [I] will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able.., for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.’ But David said, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep… When there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck and killed him. [I have] struck down lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God… The Lord who delivered me from [them]… will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ Saul said, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’

“Then Saul clothed David with his armor… David said, ‘I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them…’  Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:4-7,10-11,32-40

From the outside, Goliath’s very presence was foreboding, an impossible threat to the cowering Israelites. His stature, weapons, and verbal challenge outsized Saul’s men in every measure. Every day his defiance whacked a bit more defeat into the army’s resolve. Except for young David. He saw things differently, and lived with a different set of armor. He was the Lord’s, saw every battle as His, and was confident in His tested faithfulness and prowess.

When we live under the world’s standards, accumulating and using the world’s tools, our comparisons will always be on a limited plane. Man against man, word against word, strategy against strategy. But when we walk daily in ongoing communion with the Lord of lords, we see earthly opposition from a different, heavenly perspective, and have a mindset and weapons at the ready that are other-worldly. We’re familiar and comfortable with weapons of faith and the armor of God, because they are our daily dress. We’ve tested and tried God’s word, and are confident of its power to guide, protect, and win.

What Goliaths are we facing externally and internally? The firmer our stand for Christ, the greater the opposition, criticism, and challenges to our beliefs. Health, financial, and relational issues ofttimes provoke without warning. Invisible but raging temptation, resentment, jealousy, discontent, and discouragement attack. How will we respond or confront? When will we fit on and take up divine weapons for every onslaught, trusting His victory? (1 Samuel 17:45-46; Ephesians 6:10-18)

Lord, help me meet every taunt and enemy in the power of Your name, wielding the weapons You supply with alacrity and wisdom, so all may know the battle is Yours and You alone are Savior. (1 Samuel 17:46-50)