"38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 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. 40 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." (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
David stands on the brink of fighting the biggest battle of his life to date. Saul provides David with that which he, Saul, thinks is necessary to "get the job done". He takes his own armour and puts it on David. He thought he was helping, but in fact without knowing it, this was a limiting factor for David. David cannot function in the armour, because he is "not used to them".
Instead, David opts for his sling and five smooth stones!
In order to move forward and accomplish what God had called him to do, freely and victoriously, David needed to use what he was used to. He needed to use his own gifts that he had honed over the years while looking after sheep.
Friend, a key to living an overcoming life as a Christian, despite the limitations is to start with what you have in your hand. Use what God has given you!
Yes, the next person may have shinier, more flash armour – their gifts and skills may be worth aspiring to, but the gifts that God has given you is enough to get the job at hand done!
Now, don’t get me wrong. This does not mean we don’t grow! It does not mean we do not step out of our comfort zones and learn something new – there may indeed be better ways - but what it means is we start with what we already have in our hands, and use that to the best of our abilities.
What has God given you?
Use what you have in your hands for His glory!
PRAYER
Lord, my armour is not shiny,
I have no sharpened sword
But what I have is enough Lord,
Your presence, your power, your word.