The definition of cause is something or someone that produces an effect, result, or condition due to a belief that certain things are worthy to be fought for and protected. Every day I see opportunities presented by those wanting to raise awareness of a particular disease or need. Many will raise funds for the cause they feel is worthy of their time and money. In America, there is a fund for almost every disease or mistreatment of people. They all seek a platform so they can be heard. While I support many organizations, there are none as worthy or needed as the cause of Christ.
David, as a young man, understood God was worthy of his defense. David was the youngest son of Jesse. David had seven other brothers, three of which were soldiers in Saul’s army. Jesse sent David to check on his brothers that were in a battle against the Philistines. David was to take provisions of food to his brothers and bring a report back to his father.
When he arrived, the Philistines were on one side of the valley on a mountain, and the Israelites were on the other side of the valley on a mountain. The Philistines had a giant named Goliath. He was their champion. He was 9 feet tall, and obviously very strong to bear the weight of a 30-pound helmet, 150-pound coat of mail, shin guards made of brass, and a 30-pound spear. This giant warrior was standing in the valley taunting the Israelites. The Israelites were afraid and in dismay. They felt there was no one who could defend them and kill the giant.
I Samuel 17:3-4 “And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”
I Samuel 17:8-11 “And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”
Now we approach the heart of the matter. David, a very young man in his early 20’s, sees the situation as it really is. He sees his almighty God being challenged. The God of Israel, Jehovah God, was being insulted and no one believed God was strong enough to defend them. Their faith was weak and their desire to please and defend their God was hidden by their fear. David was moved to defend his God. He turns to those who are hunkered down, scared, feeling defeated, and asks, “Is there not a cause?” David not only wanted to defend his God, but he also trusted his God to take care of him. His faith was not in his own abilities. God had helped him to kill a bear and a lion, and now God would take care of the giant. Even if it meant death David had determined to stand for what was right.
I Samuel 17:29 “And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
In a culture where everything right is being challenged and taunted as foolish or an infringement on other’s rights, we should be standing as David. We should be willing to proclaim Christ as the answer to all of life’s problems, and the only way to eternal life. We need not shy away from declaring what is right in God’s eyes. We have a cause. We need to let it sink deep in our hearts that our silence allows multitudes to not hear the gospel, and the result is people going to hell. We have a cause to honor our Savior. He has done so much for us by dying for our sins and allowing us redemption. What greater cause can there be than the eternal souls of men, women, boys, and girls? What greater cause than to obey the one who died for us? Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and multitudes still do not know Him. Many religions push their agenda and scream for their rights. We need to stop bowing to man and start shouting the truths of the gospel.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
