As we saw in yesterday’s DWOD, David finally convinces King Saul to let him take on Goliath on the strength of his past victories and his conviction that the Lord who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear would also deliver him from the paws of the Philistine. Here is what follows:

 

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour 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.

 

Saul knows only one way to fight and that is with a sword. When you fight an armed opponent with a weapon, you need to protect yourself from their blows. So, it was a no-brainer for him that David would need an armour and a helmet.

 

Saul would’ve expected David to express his appreciation for the privilege of being able to wear the king’s own tunic and his hand-picked armour and helmet. But that is not what happens, is it?

 

David tries walking around with all the equipment on, but it wasn’t the right fit for him. He was a shepherd boy who was used to wearing a robe and holding a shepherd’s staff in his hand. He was not a soldier who knew how to dress for success in a battle.

 

So he does something very bold. He turns down the king’s kind offer to loan him all those fine armaments. David risks offending Saul, but it was critical that he stick to what fit him the best. To his credit, Saul realizes this truth as well and lets David do it his way.

 

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.

 

Can you imagine what would have happened had David faced Goliath wearing all that bulky armour? He would not have been able to use his slingshot with the unrestricted flexibility of a shepherd’s outfit. He would have been severely restrained in the speed with which he approached the giant as well. It would have been an unmitigated disaster.

 

Thanks to David’s forthrightness about his discomfort and Saul’s discernment, the tragedy was averted and victory ensued.

 

Dear DWOD friend, on the road to your destiny, you are likely to run into situations similar to what David faced. Well-intentioned superiors and supporters will suggest that you adopt what has served them well.

 

You may be under pressure to use the same strategy they used to achieve success, even though it is a total mismatch for the way you are wired.

 

You may be forced to wear their mannerisms, employ the catchphrases that worked wonders for them and launch the same successful campaigns as they did, even though it would not be a natural fit for you.

 

You may be persuaded to go along with their suggestions for sentimental reasons or for the purpose of maintaining traditions that have stood the test of time.

 

This is when you, like David, need to be politely firm. Yes, there is always a chance that you may offend them. But, my friend, this is your battle. You’re the one in the fray. You need to fight your way. You’re the only you that has ever been, is now or ever will be. You have a unique way or perhaps you have received a particular strategy from heaven. Like David, you’ve had success before with your preferred weapons of war.

 

Stand your ground. Do not give in to others, no matter how much they insist. Wear your best fit for the fight. It’s the only way to slay the giant.