By Ben Winslett

Many of us grew up hearing the miraculous account of David and Goliath. I remember the strange images I had in my head as a young child in Pre-School, hearing of this young boy David who through the power of God was able to defeat a giant foe of Israel, the giant named Goliath. Let’s revisit this classic story of God’s strength and notice one particular quote that I find is edifying unto me, and I believe it will give us strength to persevere against the onslaught of the devil that we fight daily.

Shortly after Saul was rejected as King of Israel by God (1 Samuel 15:23), the Philistines had gathered together against Israel, to battle. (1 Samuel 17). As the two armies were facing each other down, Goliath makes his way into the scene. The Bible says Goliath was 6 cubits and a span. A cubit was around 18 inches, so Goliath was at LEAST 9 feet tall, and covered in metal armor bearing a huge spear and a shield. This giant stood against Israel, taunting them, challenging them and defying the armies of Israel. Saul and his armies were very afraid..

Davids three older brothers had followed Saul to the battle, but David returned to Bethlehem to feed his father’s sheep. Goliath remained deviant to Israel, taunting them for forty days, when David’s father Jesse sent David with supplies of food to the armies. As David arrives and greets his brethren, the Philistine named Goliath began to speak those taunts to Israel. David heard these things, and at the same time his brethren fled afraid of the giant. As the men of Israel grown in fear, fleeing back and forth in a panic, David asks this question. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David knew this man did not just stand against him, he stood against his God. I believe David saw this problem, and knew the Lord would deliver Goliath into his hands. What FAITH this young man had!

Sadly, Eliab, David’s brother, heard him speak to these men and became angry with David. He asked why he came to the battle, and then accuses him of being prideful, that he is there because of the naughtiness of his heart, just there to see the battle. David asked his brother this question. He said “what have I now done? Is there not a cause?” (I Samuel 17 28:29)

My friends, this is a question that we must present in our lives today. I dare say that we each face one particular Goliath or another as we attempt to walk a Christian path throughout our lives. No doubt, forty five million (45,000,000) unborn babies murdered in their mothers womb is quite a giant evil defying God’s laws and commandments. We seem to be on the verge of disgracing marriage in our country by legalizing “marriages” between Sodomites. It is now even legal to starve a person to death because their “quality of life” isn’t high enough. So I ask, IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?

We have all the power in the UNIVERSE to stand down these atrocities, we have the aid of God Almighty. Just as David became angry at this defiant, evil giant, we should be equally offended at the things going on around us today. My friends, it is time we stood up for this cause! I’m sure the odds looked mightily against little David as he stood strong against that Giant Philistine, but the Lord is larger than all. If we, as His church, stand strong, arm ourselves with the armor of God, and fight, the Lord will give us strength. He has already given us victory. Yes my friends, there is a cause. Let us seek it daily.

May the Lord bless you,
Ben Winslett