When all Israel stood shaking in their armor, afraid to accept the challenge of the Philistine's champion Goliath of Gath, David was the only Israelite who had the faith and the courage to ask in effect, "Who needs a reward? Why are you letting this uncircumcised Philistine defy the armies of the living God?" When David's older brother Eliab questioned David's motives, David responded with his timeless question, "Is there not a cause?" In other words, Isn't there a reason to fight? DOESN'T IT BOTHER YOU that this idolater, in defying Israel, is defying Israel's God Himself?
The churches in America today stand collectively exactly where Israel and Saul's army of old stood on that day; shaking in their armor, afraid to confront a giant that is defying the armies of the living God, that dares to exert control over the churches that are supposed to be under the sole headship of the Lord Jesus, that dares to tell the churches how to operate so God's tithes will not be taxed. DOESN'T IT BOTHER YOU that this giant, in defying the Lord's churches, is defying the Lord Jesus Himself? IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?
There are several great lessons to be gleaned from this story, one of the most important of which is that sometimes men of God must have the faith and courage to stand alone against an enemy that their brethren not only refuse to fight but who also chastise them for fighting. Another is that the battle is the Lord's; the victory is not in the outcome of the battle, but in having the faith and courage to go IN to the battle in the first place. |
