EmmDev 2024-08-29 [The Discipleship Journey] Simplicity

Simplicity

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. (1Samuel17:38-40)

Our journey as disciples of Jesus can get bogged down in the noise and distractions of life's chaos and busyness. The temptation to rely on external gimmicks or shortcuts to appear impressive can seem like an easy way to fast-track our growth toward Christlikeness. But shortcuts often lead us astray from the simplicity and authenticity that God calls us to.

David faced this temptation when Saul offered him his armor. By wearing the king's armor, David was faced with a threefold temptation:

• Assert a claim to kingship: Wearing the king's armor could imply, in the eyes of the people, that David was claiming royal authority.
• Look professional: Though David was too young to be a soldier, appearing as one---especially after defeating Goliath---could solidify his status as a warrior.
• Rely on external tools: Using the armor could have been a way to rely on physical strength and appearance rather than trusting God.

Yet, David was wise enough to reject the armor. Instead, he chose to go as himself---with what he knew and trusted. He faced the giant without pretense or facade, simply as a young shepherd boy who had learned to trust God. David's simplicity, his refusal to clutter his life with pretenses or power plays, allowed God to work through him, and as a result, the giant fell.

Is there clutter in your life?
- The temptation to grab at status?
- An overdeveloped image awareness?
- Too much reliance on 'tricks of the trade'?

How can you, like David, return to the basics in your walk with God?
By simplifying and stripping away the distractions, you create space for God to move powerfully in your life --- just as He did in David's.

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