Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.
“I can’t go in these”, he protested to Saul, “I’m not used to them.”
(1 Samuel 17: 38-39, NLT)
David is preparing to go to battle against Goliath. He is a young boy and truly inexperienced for his time has been spent in the fields with sheep and not in battle. Saul, trying to help him out, gives him his equipment and armor for protection. There is only one problem – Saul is a much bigger man and the armor does not fit. It is too big and much to heavy for younger David.
He tries to walk in the armor but quickly recognizes that he will be unable to move effectively or quickly against Goliath. Can you just see him walking clumsily, stumbling awkwardly as he tries to take steps forward?
I wonder if we are any different at times.
How many times have I tried to live in the “clothes” belonging to another?
Maybe not literally.
Yet how often we long for the life that another lives. The job. The kids. The home. The figure (so maybe we do want their literal clothes), their career, their personality.
When we try to live in the armor belonging to someone else, we discover the same thing as David – it just does not fit. We cannot move throughout our day effectively, comfortably, or successfully.
So David took them off again. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. (verse 39b, 40b)
David moved forward, comfortable in his own skin. In his own shepherd boy clothes, armed with his shepherd boy sling. He was able to walk and face life and meet the challenges of the day.
We each have been created equally. We know that. And yet the struggle is so great within us to wear the life that does not belong to us. That won’t fit. That won’t become us.
So how do we correct this problem?
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
(Isaiah 61:10)
We rejoice in the truth that God has created us to be us and no one else. We live the live that He has custom-made for each one of us. And….
We. Wear. The. Right. Clothes.
We live life clothed in the robe that He has bought for us. For this is the only robe that we will feel comfortable in each day.
Today I am linked with …. Soli Deo Gloria and Unite and Tell Me A Story and Teach Me Tues. and Momma Notes and Titus 2sdays and Titus 2 Tuesday .
Amen! We do wear the clothing that is best for us, for He has given it to us… This passage of scripture was given to me too (Isaiah 61:10) while I was having my morning prayers and devotion yesterday. God bless you!!! š
Don’t you just love when God works in that way! Have a great day!
Yes our God is amazing!!!! š
Reblogged this on prayertherapyblog.
Thank you , Enna.
Good analogy!
I’m thinking how it fits (no pun intended) the times I’ve taken on responsibilities that don’t fit me any better than Saul’s armor fit David! Sometimes we might have to, temporarily, but it’s best to check with God first. Taking on what doesn’t fit and wasn’t meant for us in the first place can drain us so badly we can’t do what we *should be* doing!
Absolutely! I have done the very same thing. So glad you stopped here today. And that was a great pun š
Yes, it is best to just be ourself and not try to mimic other teachers, writers, and even mothers. Sad to say we often give it a good try. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Thanks for sharing. This is an amazing lesson for me.