When The Armor Feels Too Big

1 Chronicles 28 gives us an in depth look at the conversation that look place between David and his son Solomon in regards to building a temple for the Lord. Before the process actually began however David had a few words of encouragement and of warning to Solomon. We’ll pick up in verse 9 (by the way, I’m referencing the NLT translation):

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.”

Let’s stop right there. I strongly believe God has designed each one of us to do something phenomenal for him. However due to the complexity of the mission he’s called us to, it requires knowing him fully and intimately. Before we clearly know where God has called us, and before we attempt to accomplish the mission he’s put in front of us, it’s crucial to know him intimately and to serve him completely with our heart and mind. This is because what God has called you to accomplish is so much larger than you, and you will often times been unprepared and inexperienced to do what he wants you to do. This requires you knowing God’s word, and knowing that his strength is enough. Just as David was called to defeat Goliath. When they attempted to put armor on him it was too big and fit him uncomfortably. David didn’t seem to fit into the task he was called into and was seemingly in over his head, but he knew the key to victory was knowing God intimately. When we know God intimately and serve him completely, it won’t matter how big the  task is in comparison to who we are, God will show up and show out into our situation. Let’s continue to verse 10:

“So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary.

Alright, so I don’t know about you, but I like to joke around and have been known to tell a joke or two. As a matter of fact, sometimes I need to be told to focus on the task at hand. I’ve adapted such a casual approach towards certain issues in my life it can sometimes present a problem. You see this “God” thing that we do is not just something we do on the weekends. Chasing after God is a lifestyle and we ought to take it seriously. The moment you became a Christian God began to change you. He began to develop you into an instrument to carry his word outside of yourself and into the world. We have to take our relationship and our duties to God seriously. Otherwise, we will never accomplish what he wants us to accomplish. Whether you are defeating giants with a sling, building a temple for the Lord, or sharing the Gospel with a co-worker, our devotion to God should be taken seriously. Everyday in the world we are in the midst of people who are broken, hurting, and are looking for a cure but they have no idea where to go or how to find it. It’s so vitally important to seek God completely, and to take him seriously. Hurting people that need help are at stake, and your full potential won’t be realized until you take God’s hand in your life seriously. Continuing into verse 10:

“Be strong, and do the work.”

Notice how the verse doesn’t say, “be weak and make excuses”, it does not say “be strong and God will do everything for you”. No, the verse simply says “be strong, and do the work”. Too many times the Holy Spirit will reveal in us exactly what He wants us to do. It can excite us to the point of losing sleep at night, but we make one fatal flaw to our calling – we don’t do the work, and we’re often times not strong. For example, God may give us a word or a testimony to share with others but when the time comes, we let that person slip by and don’t mention anything at all. You see, following God with the intention of working for him requires action and strength. Remember, there’s a reason for that – our God’s plan for our life will fit on us like sagging heavy armor until we perk up, become strong, and do the work. As Paul says,His (God’s) strength in made perfect in weakness. Moving on, let’s jump all the way to verse 20:

“Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the LORD GOD, my GOD is with you. He will not fail or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the temple of the Lord is finished correctly.”

One of the reasons why we stay on the outside of our passion or our calling is because we feel under qualified. We feel as if the Pastor down the street can say it better, or the worship leader you heard last Sunday can sing it better than you can. We don’t give God enough credit and instead try to make ourselves more important than He is. I’m fairly sure we talk ourselves out of blessings on a daily basis by allowing our fears to become bigger than our God. What we need to realize is that we weren’t given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). In the middle of your task expect mistakes and accidents to happen, but know this: God will never fail you, he won’t leave you in the midst of your failure. Rather, he will develop and support you to accomplish the mission he’s called you to. Again, don’t allow yourself to become more important than God. He who brought the world into existence can surely aide you in completing what he’s called you to do. If David’s mind would’ve been anywhere else besides humbling himself before God I believe he would’ve been defeated. As for Solomon, if he didn’t have God but just the blueprints to the temple, I’m sure he would’ve thrown them away and said “this task is just too big for me, i’m done”.Remember, you’re the instrument, but God is the one with the control. Finishing up, let’s close in on Chapter 29:1:

“My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous…”

Alright, so when we signed up to follow God, part of the deal was we asked him to change us and transform us to be more like him. In doing that, he’s set us aside to do great things for him that sometimes require enormous amounts of work that without him we’d never be able to do. Know this – God has clearly chosen you to do something, even though you may be young in the faith and inexperienced. The reassuring fact is, since God has called you to it, he will use your lack of maturity and inexperience to mold you into a stronger more mature Christian. Then, you will have a testimony whereas others will see what God has done through you to impact his kingdom. Don’t buy into the hoopla that you need to be at a certain place in your life before God can use you. God used Rahab the prostitute right where she was, and he can use you too.

In closing I want to challenge you to think about the following questions:

How far could you run if nothing was holding you back? It’s funny, whenever my dog is not on a leash or escapes out the front door to chase a cat he will run like there’s no tomorrow. As a matter of fact, he runs so fast and so far, I don’t even think he gets tired. He runs at a fast pace with no leash bounding him to a fixed location. We should do the same. Who cares what people think. Who cares if people think we’re chasing a dream to big for our britches and we’re underprepared and not qualified. Set your eyes on God, learn from his word and be ready for something great.

What is one thing in relation to your faith that you could take more seriously? Souls are at stake here, and we must take our faith seriously! Maybe it’s something as simple as not thinking about lunch during your Pastors sermon on Sunday, or maybe it’s reading the Bible more frequently. What is one thing in relation to your faith that you could take more seriously?

What is one lie that you’ve been told about yourself that you will let go of this week? The enemy loves to tell us how we’re inexperienced and useless to accomplish our God sized dreams. Today or this week, ask yourself what one lie you’ve been told you’re going to let go of. Throw it to the curb, and run towards your mission.