Unique

1 Samuel 17:38-40

In the Psalms, David declares that God has numbered every hair on our head.  In Jeremiah, God tells the prophet “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart”.  We are God's creation.  He creates each human individually.  There are no duplicates. As creators ourselves, we understand the value of being unique and individual.  We are all born with different talents and personalities.  The Lord did not do this by accident.  We are born with these differences to His glory. 
​
In 1 Samuel, The Israelites are lined up to war against the Philistines.  It was custom back then to put forth a champion from each side to possibly avoid bloodshed.  If agreed, the fight would be decided by these two champions from each side, rather than the entire armies fighting.  In this case, the Philistines put forth Goliath, a giant.  For days Goliath ridicules the Israelites because no champion from their side will come forward to accept the challenge.  When young David arrives to the front lines, he boldly is eager to accept the challenge. Saul hears that David is willing to fight Goliath.  Although Saul was unwilling to put himself out there against Goliath, he quickly tries to unwittingly conform David to be more like him.  He urges David to wear his armor.  The symbolism of wearing someone else’s armor in this case represents trying to use someone else’s methods or approach to achieve something for God.  David was wise enough to know that He could not use someone else’s armor. It did not fit him.  Although David probably didn't fit the description of a great warrior without armor just carrying a sling and five stones, he was exactly who God had created to defeat Goliath.  He didn't meet up to the worlds expectations of someone who would triumph, because they couldn't see with God’s eyes.  It is often easier to try to learn to copy someone else’s methods to try to achieve something for God.  However, God didn’t create our uniqueness and individuality for us to conform to a duplicate of someone else.  God didn’t call the armored warrior to defeat Goliath.  He called a young shepherd with a sling.  Today may you rise up as the unique creation that God has called you to be, free of pressure to conform, and may the unique vision of God shine through your life!