The shoes that best fit are the ones that the Lord has designed for the feet that He created.
In a different context, and yet demonstrating the same line of meditation, we can consider David.
David was offered Saul’s armor when he prepared to face Goliath. It would seem to be an honor that it was offered to him to wear the King’s armor into this battle. Added to his confidence and valiance it would seem to make for a more compelling visual of the young warrior as He advanced toward this showdown albeit in the shadow of a menacing giant.
There were several inherent problems with the proposal that David wear Saul’s armor.
Among them:
1. It did not fit David as it was tailored for Saul.
David, as perhaps all of us have done, tried on something that he already knew would not fit and, after having tried it on, his assessments were confirmed.
As King, Saul would have been presented with armor that was fitted to his body type and that would allow for the necessary movement on the battlefield. Saul was a tall man and David, being a youth, most likely would have been shorter than Saul. As such, David quickly realized that this armor would hinder rather than make him more effective.
May the knowledge of who we are as believers liberate each one from trying to fit a role not purposed or designed for us by our Father.
2. It was foreign to David, untested.
There are those things which become our “old reliables,” things which are time tested and have proven instrumentally effective. In David’s case, this would include the things which he carried into the hills and pastures as a shepherd. He would ultimately set aside Saul’s armor in favor of his weapon of choice, a sling and stones. To David, Saul’s armor was foreign and awkward. Nothing about it was compelling enough for him to abandon the things that he had used daily as a young shepherd protecting his flocks from formidable threats in the field.
When we try to walk in those things which are not part of God’s individual design for us, they too are awkward and cumbersome. For anyone who is aware of his or her identity and calling in Christ, it is always a hindrance and never useful to walk outside of God’s personal design for his or her life. We are only to put on Christ.
3. It was emblematic of a fearful king who was rejected by God because of prior disobedience.
The offer of Saul’s armor was an extension of the King’s fear. The royal armor would have been distinct and, in this case, even more so for all of the wrong reasons. It would be a representation of fear and dereliction at the highest level. It would have signified the absenteeism of the one to whom the nation would have looked for an example of courageous leadership at a most critical time. David would not walk in this symbol of virtual abdication, fear, disobedience and defeat.
As believers we do not choose to walk in the molds of conformity to those things which represent fear and defeat. The armor of God is a heavenly provision for His anointed warriors who, by faith, advance in victory toward victory.
4. David was already anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul as King.
David’s anointing assured that He would indeed bear the royal armor and shield. But this was not the time for him to wear the king’s armor. God had rejected Saul. Samuel had anointed David as Israel’s future King. The idea of walking in a symbol of power onto the battlefield would have been intoxicating to someone whose heart and actions were not in alignment with God’s greater purposes. The armor would not bring promotion and David did not seek such in it. It was God’s anointing upon David and it was his heart for God that would advance God’s will in his life. David was not seeking personal advancement, He was hot after the Will and Honor of God. God always blesses those things which are focused on bringing glory to His Name.
In a different context, and yet demonstrating the same line of meditation, we can consider David.
David was offered Saul’s armor when he prepared to face Goliath. It would seem to be an honor that it was offered to him to wear the King’s armor into this battle. Added to his confidence and valiance it would seem to make for a more compelling visual of the young warrior as He advanced toward this showdown albeit in the shadow of a menacing giant.
There were several inherent problems with the proposal that David wear Saul’s armor.
Among them:
1. It did not fit David as it was tailored for Saul.
David, as perhaps all of us have done, tried on something that he already knew would not fit and, after having tried it on, his assessments were confirmed.
As King, Saul would have been presented with armor that was fitted to his body type and that would allow for the necessary movement on the battlefield. Saul was a tall man and David, being a youth, most likely would have been shorter than Saul. As such, David quickly realized that this armor would hinder rather than make him more effective.
May the knowledge of who we are as believers liberate each one from trying to fit a role not purposed or designed for us by our Father.
2. It was foreign to David, untested.
There are those things which become our “old reliables,” things which are time tested and have proven instrumentally effective. In David’s case, this would include the things which he carried into the hills and pastures as a shepherd. He would ultimately set aside Saul’s armor in favor of his weapon of choice, a sling and stones. To David, Saul’s armor was foreign and awkward. Nothing about it was compelling enough for him to abandon the things that he had used daily as a young shepherd protecting his flocks from formidable threats in the field.
When we try to walk in those things which are not part of God’s individual design for us, they too are awkward and cumbersome. For anyone who is aware of his or her identity and calling in Christ, it is always a hindrance and never useful to walk outside of God’s personal design for his or her life. We are only to put on Christ.
3. It was emblematic of a fearful king who was rejected by God because of prior disobedience.
The offer of Saul’s armor was an extension of the King’s fear. The royal armor would have been distinct and, in this case, even more so for all of the wrong reasons. It would be a representation of fear and dereliction at the highest level. It would have signified the absenteeism of the one to whom the nation would have looked for an example of courageous leadership at a most critical time. David would not walk in this symbol of virtual abdication, fear, disobedience and defeat.
As believers we do not choose to walk in the molds of conformity to those things which represent fear and defeat. The armor of God is a heavenly provision for His anointed warriors who, by faith, advance in victory toward victory.
4. David was already anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul as King.
David’s anointing assured that He would indeed bear the royal armor and shield. But this was not the time for him to wear the king’s armor. God had rejected Saul. Samuel had anointed David as Israel’s future King. The idea of walking in a symbol of power onto the battlefield would have been intoxicating to someone whose heart and actions were not in alignment with God’s greater purposes. The armor would not bring promotion and David did not seek such in it. It was God’s anointing upon David and it was his heart for God that would advance God’s will in his life. David was not seeking personal advancement, He was hot after the Will and Honor of God. God always blesses those things which are focused on bringing glory to His Name.
RSS Feed