Shine Forth!
September 20, 2026
“1 Samuel 17:38-39 38 So Saul clothed David with his armour, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armour and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.”
Reflection
20th September 2026, Sunday As I read 1 Samuel 17:38-39, I was reminded to check myself. Have I been wearing someone else’s armour? Such armour may be in the form of well-meaning advice and help, perhaps even resources useful to that person, but not suited to my divine purpose and God-given calling. The armour could even have been given in relation to someone else’s battle, someone else’s objectives for me. I am no longer youthful, though I often believe I still am! Yet, I am still influenced by my parents and wanting to please them today. I think my dad envisions me as a corporate leader, whilst my mum has always seen me better suited to being a physician. I have been both and I am beginning to understand why. I am not confused, but I am keen to please both parents. In so doing, I have forgotten to seek God and to ask Him what His plan for me is. Indeed, I can serve Him wherever He leads me, whether as a captain of industry or as a doctor, focused only on treating patients. In both areas, I can still glorify Christ by sharing the gospel and encouraging others. But if I do not even begin to seek God, how can I discern His voice and allow Him to guide me in the way I should go? Who am I really serving in my life – God or man? Who and what am I really fighting in my life – the giants who mock my living God or God Himself, because I want the freedom to do as I choose?
Application
I cannot shine for God unless I live for God, not for man. As I ask God for directions and instructions, I also ask Him to equip me, trusting that He who has started a good work in me, shall see it to completion in Christ Jesus. I must not forget that my identity is in Christ and I am, therefore, a child of God, redeemed and made righteous by the blood of Christ. Philippians 2:14-16 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that (we) may rejoice in the day of Christ that (we) have not run in vain or laboured in vain. Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Search me, O Lord, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Reveal any wicked, selfish and prideful ways in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. It is from You that I shall receive an inheritance as a reward. Forgive me for walking in other people’s shoes, along other people’s roads and wearing other people’s armour; fighting other people’s battles, with other people’s armies, for other people’s spoils. You, alone, Lord Jesus Christ, is whom I seek. Let me be still and be with You. Let me see Your glory and feel Your presence. Let me not fear the evil one. What can he do to me? He, who defies the spiritual armies of my Living God, will be defeated. I give You, Lord Christ, my spiritual offerings of praise and thanksgiving. I thank You for loving me, shielding me, helping me to overcome all things and giving me Your victory, that I may shine forth as a child of God, blameless and harmless! In Your name I pray. Amen.