Overcome Oneself
Mindset

A Chinese note taken in November 1990

1 Samuel 17 : 38 - 40 David and Goliath (大衛和歌利亞)

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.
39 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.
40 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.

David was not used to tunic.
1. It was not fit him, but not used to it.
It was a small issue to put on tunic, but it was the temptation. David had to overcome himself, then he could conquer the enemy (Goliath)

2. Do not use the outside to cover what is inside. After anointing by Samuel, David went through many experiences for 15 years until he became a king. He knew that he used himself and depended on God to win.

3. Remove the tunic. God wanted to use ourselves and we had to surrender.


The note made me thinking of God's deed.
The Lord sent Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem as the Lord had chosen one of his sons to be king. Jesse called his seven sons passing in front of Samuel and they were not the chosen one. So the youngest son David who was tending the sheep came back and Samuel anointed him.
Hence we knew that God only call the one who was chosen by him.

For the battle between David and Goliath, Goliath was tall and armed. That was the strength of man.
David won the battle in the name of the Lord.
As mentioned in the Bible, David said to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty."

David had been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep, David went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep. God gave him those opportunities to kill the lion and bear. So that he was able to fight against the giant enemy.

David won the battle without wearing tunic. That made us realise that God will make us his instrument and not using any other weapon.

David slung a stone and struck Goliath on the forehead and killed him.

When we are working for God, we have to know the weapon we use. Put on the full armor of God so that we can win the battle in His mighty power.

12.06.2015