Today’s message
Read and reflect
Stop Getting Strength from a Source the Lord Has Rejected
There are battles you will never win until you learn to say:
“Thank you, Saul—but please keep your armor!”
David was preparing to confront Goliath when Saul offered him his personal military equipment. Helmet? Available. Coat of mail? Available. Sword? Available.
Everything looked impressive.
There was only one small problem:
The owner of the armor was hiding from Goliath!
Excuse me, sir. If the armor is this powerful, why are you not wearing it to face the giant yourself?
That is where spiritual wisdom begins.
Stop getting strength from a source the Lord has rejected.
Before this encounter, God had already rejected Saul as king because of his persistent disobedience:
«“Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
— 1 Samuel 15:23»
David had already been anointed as God's chosen successor in 1 Samuel 16. Therefore, spiritually speaking, David had to be careful: receiving his confidence from Saul's armor could symbolically position him in the camp of what God was moving away from.
You cannot be God's chosen future while making a rejected system your confidence.
1. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET YOUR STRENGTH
This is where Christianity leaves Sunday service and enters Monday morning.
When the rent is due, where do you get strength?
When business is slow, where do you turn?
When somebody threatens you, what becomes your backup plan?
When promotion delays, what suddenly becomes acceptable?
Some Christians have Jesus as Plan A and something suspicious as Plan B.
Sunday:
“On Christ the solid Rock I stand!”
Monday, when trouble arrives:
“But where is that charm somebody gave me?”
Beloved, the Rock does not need a backup generator!
You cannot say, “Jesus is enough,” and still maintain an emergency spiritual alternative somewhere.
2. TODAY'S SAUL'S ARMOR DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE ARMOR
Saul's armor today may be anything that offers security, success or deliverance at the expense of obedience to Christ.
It could be a charm or occult protection.
It could be fraudulent money that you rename “God's favour.”
It could be bribery because “everybody is doing it.”
It could be manipulating somebody because “wisdom is profitable to direct.”
Please leave Ecclesiastes out of your manipulation!
It could be an ungodly relationship you refuse to leave because the person pays your bills.
It could be falsifying documents because “God understands the economy.”
It could even be depending more on human connections than on integrity, prayer and diligent work.
Whatever requires disobedience to sustain you is too expensive to become your strength.
3. DON'T BORROW CONFIDENCE FROM SOMEBODY WHO IS HIDING
This part is almost comical.
Saul was giving David armor to fight the battle Saul himself was afraid to fight.
That is like somebody drowning in the river shouting:
“Come, let me teach you swimming!”
Before accepting someone's alternative, ask:
“Where has this method taken its owner?”
Someone tells you, “Forget all this Christian honesty. There are ways to make quick money.”
Before following him, check whether he now sleeps peacefully when an unknown number calls!
Another says, “Just carry this charm. Everybody needs protection.”
Protection that makes you afraid to remove it is already becoming your master.
David had something better:
«“The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me…”
— 1 Samuel 17:37»
David was saying:
“Sir, I already have a tested Source!”
4. STOP GETTING STRENGTH FROM WHAT GOD HAS REJECTED
This is the heart of today's message.
There are things God is calling you out of, but because they still appear useful, you keep returning to them for strength.
Saul was still sitting on the throne, but God's rejection had already been pronounced.
Something can still look impressive and yet no longer carry God's approval.
Not everything functioning is approved.
Not everything profitable is righteous.
Not everything popular is biblical.
Not everybody helping you is helping your destiny.
And not every open door deserves your entrance.
«“What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
— 2 Corinthians 6:14»
David could respect Saul as king without making Saul's armor his confidence.
Likewise, you can respect people without adopting their ungodly methods.
5. SAUL'S ARMOR MAY SOLVE TODAY AND CREATE TOMORROW'S PROBLEM
Fraudulent money can pay school fees—but can it buy peace?
A lie can secure a contract—but what happens when another lie is needed to protect the first one?
A charm may promise protection—but why should a child of God become spiritually dependent on what Christ died to deliver him from?
An immoral relationship may finance your lifestyle—but anything paying your bills while bankrupting your soul is charging you too much.
Scripture says:
«“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
— Proverbs 14:12»
Never judge a method only by what it gives you. Ask what it is gradually taking from you.
6. DAVID RETURNED TO WHAT GOD HAD PROVED
David removed Saul's armor.
Then he picked up his staff, sling and stones.
Imagine the comparison:
Goliath had sword, spear and shield.
Saul had helmet, armor and sword.
David arrived with stones!
Humanly speaking, somebody should have called security.
But David knew something they didn't:
The battle was never going to be decided by equipment; it would be decided by covenant.
«“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.”
— 1 Samuel 17:45»
Prayer may look ordinary.
Integrity may look slow.
Honesty may look outdated.
Waiting upon God may sometimes feel frustrating.
Doing business legitimately may appear slower than fraud.
Sexual purity may look old-fashioned.
Forgiveness may look weak.
But never become ashamed of God's method because Saul's armor looks more sophisticated.
A small stone under God's direction is more powerful than impressive armor without God's approval.
PUT OFF THE ARMOR
Beloved, check your life today.
What have you been using as your alternative source of strength?
Jesus plus charm?
Prayer plus manipulation?
Faith plus fraud?
Worship plus secret occult consultation?
Christianity plus dishonest business?
Christ plus an ungodly relationship you believe you cannot survive without?
Remove Saul's armor.
God does not need Satan's contribution to fulfil God's promise.
If the Lord delivered David from the lion and the bear, He did not suddenly need Saul's rejected armor to handle Goliath.
And the God who brought you this far has not suddenly become incompetent.
There are battles you will never win until you learn to say:
“Thank you, Saul—but please keep your armor!”
David was preparing to confront Goliath when Saul offered him his personal military equipment. Helmet? Available. Coat of mail? Available. Sword? Available.
Everything looked impressive.
There was only one small problem:
The owner of the armor was hiding from Goliath!
Excuse me, sir. If the armor is this powerful, why are you not wearing it to face the giant yourself?
That is where spiritual wisdom begins.
Stop getting strength from a source the Lord has rejected.
Before this encounter, God had already rejected Saul as king because of his persistent disobedience:
«“Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
— 1 Samuel 15:23»
David had already been anointed as God's chosen successor in 1 Samuel 16. Therefore, spiritually speaking, David had to be careful: receiving his confidence from Saul's armor could symbolically position him in the camp of what God was moving away from.
You cannot be God's chosen future while making a rejected system your confidence.
1. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET YOUR STRENGTH
This is where Christianity leaves Sunday service and enters Monday morning.
When the rent is due, where do you get strength?
When business is slow, where do you turn?
When somebody threatens you, what becomes your backup plan?
When promotion delays, what suddenly becomes acceptable?
Some Christians have Jesus as Plan A and something suspicious as Plan B.
Sunday:
“On Christ the solid Rock I stand!”
Monday, when trouble arrives:
“But where is that charm somebody gave me?”
Beloved, the Rock does not need a backup generator!
You cannot say, “Jesus is enough,” and still maintain an emergency spiritual alternative somewhere.
2. TODAY'S SAUL'S ARMOR DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE ARMOR
Saul's armor today may be anything that offers security, success or deliverance at the expense of obedience to Christ.
It could be a charm or occult protection.
It could be fraudulent money that you rename “God's favour.”
It could be bribery because “everybody is doing it.”
It could be manipulating somebody because “wisdom is profitable to direct.”
Please leave Ecclesiastes out of your manipulation!
It could be an ungodly relationship you refuse to leave because the person pays your bills.
It could be falsifying documents because “God understands the economy.”
It could even be depending more on human connections than on integrity, prayer and diligent work.
Whatever requires disobedience to sustain you is too expensive to become your strength.
3. DON'T BORROW CONFIDENCE FROM SOMEBODY WHO IS HIDING
This part is almost comical.
Saul was giving David armor to fight the battle Saul himself was afraid to fight.
That is like somebody drowning in the river shouting:
“Come, let me teach you swimming!”
Before accepting someone's alternative, ask:
“Where has this method taken its owner?”
Someone tells you, “Forget all this Christian honesty. There are ways to make quick money.”
Before following him, check whether he now sleeps peacefully when an unknown number calls!
Another says, “Just carry this charm. Everybody needs protection.”
Protection that makes you afraid to remove it is already becoming your master.
David had something better:
«“The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me…”
— 1 Samuel 17:37»
David was saying:
“Sir, I already have a tested Source!”
4. STOP GETTING STRENGTH FROM WHAT GOD HAS REJECTED
This is the heart of today's message.
There are things God is calling you out of, but because they still appear useful, you keep returning to them for strength.
Saul was still sitting on the throne, but God's rejection had already been pronounced.
Something can still look impressive and yet no longer carry God's approval.
Not everything functioning is approved.
Not everything profitable is righteous.
Not everything popular is biblical.
Not everybody helping you is helping your destiny.
And not every open door deserves your entrance.
«“What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
— 2 Corinthians 6:14»
David could respect Saul as king without making Saul's armor his confidence.
Likewise, you can respect people without adopting their ungodly methods.
5. SAUL'S ARMOR MAY SOLVE TODAY AND CREATE TOMORROW'S PROBLEM
Fraudulent money can pay school fees—but can it buy peace?
A lie can secure a contract—but what happens when another lie is needed to protect the first one?
A charm may promise protection—but why should a child of God become spiritually dependent on what Christ died to deliver him from?
An immoral relationship may finance your lifestyle—but anything paying your bills while bankrupting your soul is charging you too much.
Scripture says:
«“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
— Proverbs 14:12»
Never judge a method only by what it gives you. Ask what it is gradually taking from you.
6. DAVID RETURNED TO WHAT GOD HAD PROVED
David removed Saul's armor.
Then he picked up his staff, sling and stones.
Imagine the comparison:
Goliath had sword, spear and shield.
Saul had helmet, armor and sword.
David arrived with stones!
Humanly speaking, somebody should have called security.
But David knew something they didn't:
The battle was never going to be decided by equipment; it would be decided by covenant.
«“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.”
— 1 Samuel 17:45»
Prayer may look ordinary.
Integrity may look slow.
Honesty may look outdated.
Waiting upon God may sometimes feel frustrating.
Doing business legitimately may appear slower than fraud.
Sexual purity may look old-fashioned.
Forgiveness may look weak.
But never become ashamed of God's method because Saul's armor looks more sophisticated.
A small stone under God's direction is more powerful than impressive armor without God's approval.
PUT OFF THE ARMOR
Beloved, check your life today.
What have you been using as your alternative source of strength?
Jesus plus charm?
Prayer plus manipulation?
Faith plus fraud?
Worship plus secret occult consultation?
Christianity plus dishonest business?
Christ plus an ungodly relationship you believe you cannot survive without?
Remove Saul's armor.
God does not need Satan's contribution to fulfil God's promise.
If the Lord delivered David from the lion and the bear, He did not suddenly need Saul's rejected armor to handle Goliath.
And the God who brought you this far has not suddenly become incompetent.
Reflection
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Stop getting strength from a source the Lord has rejected.
Saul had armor—but David had anointing.
Saul had a sword—but David had testimony.
Saul looked equipped—but David knew his God.
And eventually everyone discovered:
A stone in the hand of a person depending on God is better than armor borrowed from a rejected source.
Don't borrow what may reposition you into the enemy's camp.
Stay with Christ.
Stay with truth.
Stay with integrity.
Stay with prayer.
Stay with God's Word.
Your sling may look small.
Your stone may look ridiculous.
But if God is in it, Goliath should start worrying!
Stop getting strength from a source the Lord has rejected.
Saul had armor—but David had anointing.
Saul had a sword—but David had testimony.
Saul looked equipped—but David knew his God.
And eventually everyone discovered:
A stone in the hand of a person depending on God is better than armor borrowed from a rejected source.
Don't borrow what may reposition you into the enemy's camp.
Stay with Christ.
Stay with truth.
Stay with integrity.
Stay with prayer.
Stay with God's Word.
Your sling may look small.
Your stone may look ridiculous.
But if God is in it, Goliath should start worrying!
Prayer
PRAYER
Father, expose every Saul's armor in my life. Deliver me from every ungodly alternative, fraudulent shortcut, occult dependence, compromise and false source of strength. Give me courage to put off whatever You have rejected. Teach me to trust Christ completely, walk in integrity and depend upon Your power. Let every Goliath before me fall—not by compromise, but by the power of the living God, in Jesus' name. Amen.
TODAY'S DECLARATION
I refuse Saul's armor! I will not receive my strength from what God has rejected. Christ is my Source, God's Word is my confidence, integrity is my lifestyle, and the Lord is my Helper. I will not compromise to conquer. I will overcome God's way, in Jesus' name. Amen!
Father, expose every Saul's armor in my life. Deliver me from every ungodly alternative, fraudulent shortcut, occult dependence, compromise and false source of strength. Give me courage to put off whatever You have rejected. Teach me to trust Christ completely, walk in integrity and depend upon Your power. Let every Goliath before me fall—not by compromise, but by the power of the living God, in Jesus' name. Amen.
TODAY'S DECLARATION
I refuse Saul's armor! I will not receive my strength from what God has rejected. Christ is my Source, God's Word is my confidence, integrity is my lifestyle, and the Lord is my Helper. I will not compromise to conquer. I will overcome God's way, in Jesus' name. Amen!