1 Samuel 17:39,40

And David girded his sword over [Saul’s] armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. And he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook…”
1 Samuel 17:39,40

The resources others consider necessary are often a hindrance to faith.

It’s fascinating to see the contrast in thinking between a man of the world and a man of faith. Saul knew that no sane man would consider going up against the giant without armor and sword. Such resources were absolutely necessary for any hope of success. Consequently, he offered David his own weapons and armor. But David, operating in faith, knew that God was his protection; the armor Saul considered necessary was not essential for victory. So, instead of being enamored with the honor of wearing the king’s own armor, David found these “necessities” to be a restriction. He stripped them off and entered the battle in dependence upon God.

The same approach surfaces today whenever someone seeks to step out in faith. Inevitably, wiser heads will urge the “sane” approach: Make sure that you have sufficient resources before you commit yourself. After all, isn’t it an exercise in faith to trust God to provide the resources BEFORE you step out? This is actually the more spiritual approach (so the argument goes); because God reveals His will to us by providing the necessary resources. Any other approach is sheer presumption.

Tell that to David. Tell that to Elijah as he prayed for fire from heaven, standing all alone against the prophets of Baal. Tell that to Peter as he stepped out of the boat and walked on water. Tell that to the thousands upon thousands of God’s people from all ages who have been called to impossible tasks with insufficient resources. All they had was God’s Word, confidence in His covenant faithfulness and an assurance (by personal experience) of His power. This insistence upon waiting for the necessary resources is often a threadbare façade for rank unbelief.

David was assured that this battle was God’s will. But he was not willing to trust in the things that others trust in. He was not going to meet this challenge and allow the challenge itself to determine the ground rules. [You must fight a warrior as a warrior! “No, I will fight him as a shepherd who trusts in God.” We must have the money! “No, we must have God!” I can’t do this! “No, YOU can’t, but God can do it through you.”] He did not allow his faith to be hindered by supposedly necessary resources.

David had no experience with Saul’s armor, but he had repeated experience with God’s power and provision. He knew that God could make much out of little. He had no ability in himself to defeat Goliath, but he had seen God bring victory through him as he was. (See 17:34-37) So David didn’t ask God for the necessary resources before proceeding. Nor did he ask God to change him so he could accomplish this task. He simply trusted God to work through him as he was, with what means he had. Far better a shepherd’s weapons with trust in God than the weapons of a warrior without it!

God’s power is not limited by a lack of resources. Granted, sometimes He provides what we need ahead of time. But often – especially for those whom He has blessed with a growing experience of walking by faith – the resources are inadequate or non-existent. In this way, He forces our unbelieving hearts to operate by faith, trusting in His power and nothing else. Using the eyes of faith, we learn to view reality as God would have His children see it: nothing is too hard for God. (See Gen. 18:14) And so He brings glory to Himself and strengthens our faith by doing the impossible with insufficient means through those who are incapable. What is He calling you to do?