”Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. ‘I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not used to them.’ So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” I Samuel 17:38-40 (NIV)
Good and responsible people should always have a back-up plan. Just in case, right?
To some extent, I think we all buy into that idea. But in matters of faith, it might be a good idea for us to finish the statement. Just in case what? Just in case God doesn’t show up? Just in case we heard God’s directions wrong? Just in case we fail? Just in case God leaves us to face our difficulties alone?
It is interesting to me that David and Jonathan both attacked without a back-up plan. When Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost, he faced twenty enemy soldiers with his back to a cliff. And that’s after wearing himself out climbing up to that position. There was nothing about his plan that looks like good strategy.
And then there was David. Who faced down a giant wearing armor that weighed 600 shekels and carrying a spear that weighed nearly as much. Goliath even brought along a second man just to hold his shield. By contrast, David approached the battlefield wearing only his simple shepherding clothes and wielding nothing more than his staff, sling, and stones.
King Saul had tried to give David his sword and armor for the battle. It seemed like a logical idea, to better equip David for the fight. But David refused it. He didn’t need it because he knew he was covered with impenetrable armor that he revealed to Goliath in these words, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) David slings one stone, and Goliath falls.
How willing are we to live like David and Jonathan? How willing are we to take bold action, certain to end in disaster if God doesn’t show up? And what would our lives look like if we did?
Questions to Consider:
How important are back-up plans to you?
Is there anything in your life right now that requires a leap of faith?
What are the most disastrous possible outcomes if you leap and God doesn’t show up? What are the possible miracles if He does?
Prayer: Spend some time thanking God for the examples of faith that He has provided through His word and through the stories of the people around you. Ask Him for help to approach your existing circumstances with bold faith.
