Scripture
"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." (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
Observation
David, the shepherd boy embarks on the defining moment of his life and instead of using the armor of the king, he picks 5 smooth stones from the stream. He had been sent to the frontlines of the battle by his dad, not to fight, but to take food to his brothers like a Door Dash delivery boy. His visit was not met with gratitude but with resentment. David though was not deterred. He heard Goliath with his own ears defying the armies of his God and it made him mad. He saw the situation a bit differently than his older more experienced brothers who viewed the giant with fear.
So, the story plays out, Saul sends for David and basically lectures him on his deficiencies: “you’re too young, you have no fighting skills and by the way, Goliath has been a warrior in training ever since he was born!” David responds with a cute story about a lion and a bear to which Saul replies, “go, and the Lord be with you” (1 Samuel 17:37). Translated: “I think your odds of winning are zero, but God help you.”
Saul then tries to help by placing his very own armor on the young skinny and overly optimistic David. To big and to clunky, the armor does not work for David since he is a shepherd boy and had not been properly trained for battle. This leads us to the stream where David chooses 5 smooth stones, although he will need only one. Then the Shepard slays the giant.
Saul and David’s relationship from this point turns ugly. David will gather a rebel force of men while Saul’s empire begins to erode.
Application
If we take this story and put it into the context of the 21st century we see an eerie similarity of one generation subtly and slowly rejecting God’s work through the next generation. We see one generation clinging to their ways and practices while the other pursues innovation and their idea of progress. Are either of these generations in the wrong? No, but one thing is for sure...just like David felt uncomfortable and out of place in Saul’s armor eventually leaving it aside to fight his own way, the armor of the generation proceeding us will not work for the coming battle in this culture, day and age. But make no mistake; God has a plan and a new strategy to slay giants.
Authenticity. This word defines and separates the generations. One looks at the other and says “your way of doing things sound like rules and regulations...they sound like religion, not relationship and that’s not authentic faith.” The other chimes back “the way you choose to share the gospel is too showy, it’s all smoke and mirrors. Where’s the authenticity, where’s God in all those shiny lights and booming speakers?” If we attempt to define and divide the generations by their quest for authenticity we’ll come to the conclusion that really there’s not much difference. Any idea we come up with now was probably dreamed up generations ago, and like now, the same problem remains. One generation trying to give the other their armor. Once we realize it doesn’t fit and we allow each generation to gather their own 5 smooth stones, the sooner we advance and slay the giant.
While generations methods may change, while each set of stones may look different, perhaps there are underlying principles behind each, when identified can unite rather than divide. At New Hope we call these 5 stones, these 5 principles (+ 1!) our Totems:
- An Undying Devotion to God and His Word
- A Dedication to Evangelism
- A Gracious Spirit in All Our Dealings
- An Atmosphere of Learning
- Healthy, Genuine Relationships
BONUS! Live Heart First
When the principles behind our armor and our stones are rooted in these Totems, the method may change, but the principle stays the same. That’s what will unite and bind hearts together. Greater together!
We won’t win the battle or slay any giants without each generation sharing with the other the great things that God has done and is doing among them. We may not want or even need the armor of our fathers, but to discount their wisdom and experience is foolish. In the same vain just as David put all trust in God, we cannot discount the efforts and attempts of a generation determined to rely on Him, His power and the Holy Spirit’s divine interventions.
Prayer
Jesus, may I be a bridge that connects instead of a wall that separates. I pray for the courage to mix seasoned wisdom with youthful exuberance for ongoing momentum guided by your Holy Spirit.
