What to wear?

He said to David, ‘What’s that stick for? Do you think I’m a dog?’ And he called down curses from his god on David. ‘Come on,’ he challenged David, ‘and I will give your body to the birds and animals to eat.’

David answered, ‘You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied.’    (verses 43-45)

Read 1 Samuel 17:31-49

Have you ever said it? What shall I wear? It’s a special event: you want to get it right. Even the accessories are important.

As David readied himself to face a giant, Saul wanted to dress him fit to kill. But David rejected the regal armour for a simple suit of comfort. He selected a weapon he was familiar with and capable of using. Then he let fly.

It’s surprising that his simple sling device overcame a well­ seasoned bully. Or is it? Clothed in confident trust in the Lord, the Deliverer, David boldly faced the giant who, for forty days, had tyrannised the Israelite camp, ruling by fear and reducing his opponents to impotence. The moment David heard about Goliath, he said to Saul, who was distressed by the predicament, ‘Don’t lose heart. Your servant will go and fight him.’ What a stand in the face of fear: faith in the Lord of hosts, who will save. From his faith sprang the power to act.

I praise you, Lord. You are willing to fight and overcome my Goliaths. Dear Jesus, I give you my fears. Teach me today to trust you wholeheartedly, to walk boldly in your name. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

by Eunice Freiberg in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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