On Wearing Saul's Armor

One could expand on this life of faith by citing the life of Praying Hyde or of the inimitable George Mueller, who trusted the LORD to provide for the needs of the orphan children to whom Mueller had lovingly given shelter. Nor should we omit Rees Howells, whose life existed as a veritable channel of communication from God; and whose most accurate predictions regarding the outcome of some of Hitler's most fundamental defeats, still astound the Christian historian. The list goes on.

The challenge that usually accompanies the mention of such notable spiritual giants is almost self-evident: learn to trust the LORD in and for all things; learn to believe that He is both willing and able to provide every need for those who believe. It is true without a doubt. What is too often overlooked is that the whole lives of these men supported the faith by which they lived.

John Welch, it is said, counted a day less than profitable if he spent less than eight to ten hours in prayer! No one could (or should) argue with the value of such a prayer life. But, the LORD has not called each of us to completely emulate .John Welch. Most respectfully, and in the truest spirit of love, we might ask, "What else did John Welch do?' The best answer, of course, is that when you pray as frequently and as fervently as Welch, you need not do anything more! What could we imagine ourselves able to do beyond what God Himself does in response to such dedication in prayer?

But what about “Saul's Armor?” It was in just such a context as we have before us that the late Dr. Earl L. Pounds, my pastor and mentor, often said, “You can't wear Saul's armor.” What could he possibly be meaning?

David was too young to go to war. His father needed him to tend his flocks of sheep. Still, an obedient son, David journeyed to the battle site at his father's direction and took food to his warrior-brothers. During his somewhat brief stay at the front, David witnessed Goliath's powerful challenge to Israel. Goliath defied Israel and Israel's God.

This was more than David could stand. With eyes flashing fiercely, David cried, "Who is this uncircumcized Philistine to defy the armies of the Living God?"

That was too much for his brothers. Embarrassed by his youthful confidence, they sought to suppress him with an open reminder about his sheep. But, David would not be suppressed. “Is there not a great cause here?” he asked.

Indeed there was; and King Saul summoned David and offered his armor to the youthful enthusiast. David denied himself the high privilege of wearing the king's armor. He replied, "I have not proved them." It was not that the armor was too heavy (something I was erroneously taught as a child by a well-intentioned Sunday School teacher); rather, it was either that David had not proved himself worthy to wear the king's armor (or, for that matter, to be in the king’s military service) or --and this is more probable-- that he had simply not proved himself capable of battle with such encumbrances. The sling he could use; the armor, he could not.

This principle is this: what God has called others to do, He simply may not have called you or me to do. Now, we are all to pray; but few may be called to such a full life of continuous prayer as John Welch. We are all called to believe; but, we may not be led to "prove" the LORD by giving everything away like Hudson Taylor.

Several years ago, in the genuine spirit of the graciousness that so characterizes the man, Dr. W. A. Criswell announced that he was giving back to First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas all the money the church had paid him in salary over the long years of that pastorate. One would need little prompting to believe that no one of the spiritual depth of Dr. Criswell does such a thing unless the LORD is leading. Yet, some young preachers, obviously misled by a spirit of false humility, believed that they, too, were to return to their churches monies that had been paid to them. None, of course, could really afford to attempt such a thing unless the LORD were leading. Nor does the fact that Dr. Criswell might have had income from his numerous books or other sources lessen his own genuineness in the matter. For the general pattern seems to be that the more one has the more one wants. Still, it had apparently never occurred to the young preachers that Dr. Criswell had yet to give "the widow's mite" in the LORD’s sight.

To attempt within our own strength fetes that God has reserved through certain, selected servants as a “pattern” for us is shear folly. Perhaps through these spiritual giants He is seeking to usher us into more frequent and fervent praying. But to attempt to spend eight hours in prayer each day because Welch did, just might be divinely viewed as "spiritual over-achievement."

Witness the ways of spiritual believers. Yes, learn of God's ways through the lives of great men. But, always resist the wearing of Saul's armor. If the LORD is in need of a Welch or a Taylor, He is more than capable of producing one. We should never resist Him for whatever He calls us; yet the probability is that He will employ us in the performance of responsibilities for which He has prepared us alone. Use your sling! Look for rocks! Saul's armor is heavy. And after all, has not the LORD chosen the “foolish things of this world to confound the wise?”