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1 Samuel 17:12-51 Ephesians 6:13-17
It’s an underdog story that’s as old as time. A young shepherd faces off against a powerful giant. And against all odds, he slings a rock at the giant and takes him down. What intrigues me about David and Goliath isn’t that David chose to fight against Goliath, but that he chose to do so without wearing any armor. King Saul offers David the use of his armor, but David refuses.
Learning how to fight without armor was a central theme in an episode of Legends of Tomorrow, a show about time traveling outcasts and misfits who protect history from those who try to change it. In the episode “Shogun,” Ray Palmer AKA The Atom, loses his superpowered suit of armor when he gets taken prisoner by a Japanese warlord, also known as a shogun. (It’s a time travel show. Just go with it.) Ray and the other Legends escape from the warlord’s manor and take refuge at the house of a peasant family. The head of the family, Ichiro Yamashiro, teaches Ray how to fight with his late son’s armor. Ray eventually faces off against the shogun, who is wearing Ray’s ATOM suit as his armor. In this
battle, Ray tells the shogun, “An armor is only as good as the man who wears it.” With the help of his friends, Ray is able to defeat the shogun.
“An armor is only as good as the man who wears it.” I think this applies to David as he chose to make his faith in God his “armor.” And as Christians, we can take inspiration from David and do the same. How? This quote from Ephesians has the answer:
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
If the armor is only as good as the one who wears it, we need to be able to use these gifts wisely. You might feel intimidated at this idea: being worthy of wearing the armor of God. Except none of us are perfect. God’s grace can help us use the armor of God in our lives. By taking on this armor, we can train in becoming God’s warriors.
Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." David had the courage to put on the armor of God in spite of the giant standing in front of him. In a similar way, we need courage during Advent. It takes courage to face the darkness, to deal with uncertainty, and to prepare for the coming of Christ. I pray that whatever giants you
have to face against, you may have the courage to do the same.-Monique
Reflect: What are some “giants” in your life that you need to face off against? Reflect on a
time in your life when you had to put on the armor of Christ.
Act: Take some time to read the passage from Ephesians. Ask God for courage.
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