1 Samuel 17:37-40 Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” 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.

Commentary:

David and Goliath is one of the better-known stories of the Bible. Here we see quite an obstacle for both Saul and David to overcome, a nine foot giant that was an experienced warrior. When David volunteered to go, he had told Saul of this experience as a shepherd. David had killed lions and bears in order to protect his flock. Saul welcomed David and immediately gave him armor and a sword. David knew, however, that God had already equipped him with the skills to do God’s work. David set out using only his experience with a slingshot and his experience as a shepherd to defeat this insurmountable obstacle. When we step out in faith to do God’s work, we do not need more than we already possess. Don’t look for armor. God equips each of us in His own way and it is all we will ever need to do God’s work.