Is There Not A Cause?

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on June 30, 2024.

This is a very familiar story. David realized he was no match for Goliath, but he knew that Goliath was no match for God.  I’m not a match for the devil, but God can do all things.  If there was a cause then, there is surely a cause today.

I Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

David was the youngest of eight sons. At this time he had already been anointed King of Israel by the prophet Samuel. Yet he remained faithful to what God wanted as he waited for his time to come.  He was still watching his father’s sheep. He played his instruments and sang praises to God, worshiping as he watched the sheep. We can always praise God!  In Chapter 16:14 it was suggested to Saul that someone play soothing music for him. David did this and returned to the sheep.  Get in your place.  God uses those who are faithful. He can’t use lazy people.

In Chapter 17 there is a war between the Philistines and Israel. Each army was to choose a man to fight. Whoever won, that nation would be the servant of the other. That’s not how it worked out. Goliath was chosen for the other side. Israel had no one because they were all afraid of this giant. Physically speaking Saul should have fought him. He was bigger than other men in Israel; however he didn’t fight and God used little David.  In verse 10 Goliath was defying the army, which was defying God.  In verse 17 David’s father Jesse told him to take food to his brothers who were in the war. David heard what Goliath was saying. He thought surely the army would shut him up. No one did; they spoke and told David:  Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. David’s response:  Is there not a cause? 

People are active in many causes.  Christians, by the Word of God, should not support many things supported by society today. People fight to save animals. While there is nothing wrong with this, all the while millions of babies are murdered in the womb.  God uses us when we present ourselves usable.  We need to show up. True Christianity is a fight.  We’re in a battle, not against each other; not against other churches/pastors. We fight the devil. We fight the flesh.  We know we are to pray, read our Bible, attend church, pay our tithes, but sometimes we don’t fight well.  Satan takes no holidays. We must be ready to fight, but we never fight alone.  David knew the battle was the Lord’s.

There must be a commitment to the cause.  Marriage is commitment. Joining the military is commitment. Buying a house is a commitment. All these are binding. There is a general lack of commitment in society. Joshua told the people to make up their mind and commit to the Lord’s house saying as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Daniel purposed in his heart as a teenager to serve God and not defy himself at the king’s house. Is there not a cause?  YES!  There is still a cause.  You will respond to that cause either by getting in it or staying out.  To be passive is to be inactive to a situation/cause.  Cause is the movement people support.  As Christians, are you and I interested in seeing people saved?  That’s our cause.  We must commit.  God can use you and me.  Why hesitate to do what you know you should?  

Some won’t commit to the Lord in being saved because they want to “enjoy life” (the world) a while longer.  I have never heard anyone express regret over getting saved.  Now is the time to commit to the cause of Christ, whether it be in salvation or doing what God has asked us to do.  Is there not a cause?  There sure is!