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The great evangelist D.L. Moody once said, "Give me a man who says, 'This one thing I do,' and not, 'These fifty things I dabble in.'"

Moody was pointing to the fact that most of us start out life with lofty dreams and soaring aspirations, but somewhere along the way the everyday struggles and mundane details of life pull you off course. They fragment your purpose. Ultimately, your God-given dreams get buried in an avalanche of conflicting priorities and competing demands.

If, like a lot of believers, you've given up on winning great victories for the glory of God, I have good news for you. There's a way to rekindle your zeal, resurrect those buried dreams, and become a champion for the Lord.

You start by asking yourself the life-changing question, "Is there not a cause?"

That's the question a young shepherd asked just before he conquered the biggest enemy any Israelite had ever faced. It is the question that set him apart forever as a hero of faith.

You can read the story in 1 Samuel 17. It begins with King Saul and the Israelites confronting the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Battle lines are drawn and at first, it appears the Israelite will once again go forth as God's army and conquer their hapless foe.

But one man steps forward and changes the whole scene. Suddenly, instead of advancing, the Israelite are cowering in fear. They are paralyzed at the sight of Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior who stood over nine feet tall.

In I Samuel 17: 8-11, we read that Goliath:

"...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.

Into this stalemate came David a red-haired, freckle-faced shepherd boy of 17. At the request of his father, he was bringing food to his brothers who were camped with Saul's army. Who would have believed God's champion had just arrived on the scene?

Certainly not Goliath who stepped forth and bellowed his usual challenge. He would have scoffed at the notion that before the day was over, this small lad would stand a head taller than he.

You see, Goliath failed to consider how his disrespect for God's army would enrage the heart of a true believer. He never guessed his scorn would arouse the spiritual giant in David.

David was indignant that a heathen unbeliever would dare defy God's army. After all, this was the army that represented the nation through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed, the army God promised would be victorious over all.

Although young in years, David had personally experienced God's covenant of protection and victory with Israel. Acting on this promise, he had killed a lion and bear that threatened his flock. He never doubted the Lord would give him the same victory over Goliath.

So David immediately began to inquire what would be done for the man who killed Goliath. Eliab, David's oldest brother, overheard what David was asking and angrily rebuked him for being full of pride and selfish motives. But David's own brother had seriously misjudged him.

In Verse 29, David responded to Eliab by saying, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

Despite his brother's irritation, David believed his inquiry was valid. He saw Goliath as nothing more than a dishonor to God and Israel, a giant opportunity for David to exercise his covenant rights and responsibilities. As a servant of the living God, David believed it was his duty to remove Goliath from the scene. He fully expected to succeed and be rewarded for doing so.

Thousands of soldiers were present that day but David stood out from the crowd because he was the only one who had a cause.

And that cause changed his life. With a sling, a stone, and the Word of God, David killed Goliath then cut off the giant's head with Goliath's own sword. This panicked the Philistines and rallied the Israelites who surged forward to win a great victory.

David was heralded as a champion, taken into the king's house, and made captain over 1,000 men. After a time, he became Saul's son-in-law and was eventually crowned king of Judah and Israel. The Word of God describes David as "a man after God's own heart." Jesus Himself was given the Messianic title, son of David.

Reborn to Greatness
If you want to live victoriously, you too must have a divine cause. You must discover God's high purpose for your life and pursue it with a fervency of heart that inspires you to value the things of God even more than your own self-interest.

Otherwise, like the Israelite army, you'll cower in fear before obstacles Satan puts in your path. Without a purpose, you'll be stopped by negative circumstances that stand between you and fulfillment of God's promises. You'll fail to rise to the place God wants you to be and at best, your life will be average.

You may be thinking, "But David was born to be a hero and destined to accomplish great things. I'm just an average person who can never hope to achieve like he did."

Even if you don't think you were born to greatness, you were certainly reborn to be a winner in the kingdom of God. When you became God's child, He gave you a heavenly calling and made available everything you need to succeed. Like David, you can boldly act on God's covenant promises.

Besides, people of great purpose and lofty causes weren't really "just born that way." They consciously and deliberately developed themselves to be the people they are.

You can do the same thing. You can determine now to become a person of high purpose. You can make up your mind to discover and act according to God's unique purpose for your life.

Of course, God has general purposes that apply to all Christians. These include such things as sharing your faith, leading other people to the Lord, and basing your relationships on the love of God. As you carry out these assignments and pray for further direction, the Holy Spirit will begin to reveal the unique role God has for you - one suited to your particular personality, gifts, and talents. Your life will take on special meaning and direction as you develop in your understanding of God's larger purposes in the earth.

Once those purposes catch fire in your heart, you'll be out looking for Goliaths to conquer and the bigger the better. You'll be searching for ways to fulfill God's high call. In other words, you'll be looking for a cause.

How to Identify a God-Ordained Cause
There are many causes in which you can be involved so you must learn to distinguish between a man-made (or counterfeit) cause and one that is God-ordained. Otherwise, you'll squander a lot of time and resources on something of no real benefit to God's kingdom. You'll be so busy recycling cans or saving whales and spotted owls (worthwhile as that may be) that you won't have the energy to pursue the greater cause of saving souls for the Lord.

How do you distinguish between a legitimate and a counterfeit cause? There are several characteristics which determine if a cause is God-ordained. David's example will help you identify them.

1. A God-ordained cause is never focused on self but is aimed at overcoming disgrace to God's plan and people.

In 1 Samuel 17:26, David asks, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

Instead of being concerned for his own safety like the other thousands of soldiers there, David was focused on removing Israel's disgrace.

When self-interest takes priority over the things of God, faith disappears and fear and anxiety take over. Your God-ordained cause can be lost in your desire for self-preservation.

Don't let this happen. When you're tempted to give up the fight so you can go home and watch TV, get in God's Word and remind yourself of His purpose and promises for your life. Pray in the Holy Ghost and rekindle the fire in your spirit. Look to your fellow church members for support and encouragement. As David rallied God's army, they can inspire you to overcome your fear. Then God will get behind your efforts and propel you to great success.

2. A God-ordained cause always brings great reward.

In Verse 25 the Israelite soldiers described to David what would happen to the man who killed Goliath. They said, "the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel."

From this verse, you can see that God's reward will make you free and prosper you in your finances and relationships.

Sounds great, doesn't it? It is great! In fact, God's promised rewards are so great, you might be tempted to make them your goal. If that happens, you'll be more interested in pursuing the rewards than in achieving God's purposes. Your cause will cease to be God-ordained and become self-oriented. Then the anointing of God won't be there to support your efforts. Not only will you fail to carry out God's plan, but the rewards you expected will escape you.

I've seen that happen to people often in the area of finance. They'll start with the dream of making lots of money to support God's work. But then they become so consumed with financial matters and the things money can buy, they begin to forget their original aim was to further God's kingdom. Usually people like that find their wealth slipping away. And even if they do manage to hang onto their money, peace and contentment elude them. They never know God's true prosperity, which is wealth without trouble.

So don't be distracted by rewards. Keep your focus on fulfilling God's purpose. You'll have the satisfaction faithful stewardship brings and be overtaken by the blessings of God.

3. A God-ordained cause will bring persecution.

In Verse 28, David's oldest brother Eliab criticized him and questioned his motives. When you pursue God's cause, you will face your Eliabs too. You'll be persecuted and criticized, often by those closest to you. People you think would love and support you may be the first to discourage you.

But don't be disheartened. If you're truly following God, He'll provide all the love and encouragement you need to make it through the persecution. Often your support will come through fellow church members. So be sure you have a church home!

4. A God-ordained cause requires faith.

In Verse 37, David said, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." David believed God would protect him and come through at the critical moment. You too must be confident that God is behind your cause and will support you at the point of confrontation. In other words, you must have faith.

As you live a life of faith, your confidence will grow stronger because like David, you'll have testimonies of how God has come through for you in the past. Each time He delivers on His promises, your faith will become bolder. Eventually, you'll be courageous enough to take on challenges that immobilize others. You'll be able to act like the hero God designed you to be.

5. A God-ordained cause requires you to speak the Word to the obstacle that stands between you and God's promise.

In Verses 45-46, David spoke the Word of God to Goliath. He told the giant that he came in the name of the Lord of Hosts and, "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand." He described in detail what was going to happen to Goliath and the Philistine army.

David didn't just think about the Word, meditate on it, and confess it quietly in his prayer closet. He used the Word as a weapon in the face of his enemy.

If you're going to overcome the Goliaths in your life, you too will have to speak the Word boldly. It's the strongest weapon in your arsenal because God is behind it. Jeremiah 1:12 says the Lord watches over His Word to perform it. God Himself will make sure His Word accomplishes its purpose.

6. A God-ordained cause brings glory to God and not to you.

In Verse 47, David told Goliath, "And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands."

No doubt, as a 17-year-old boy, David looked pretty foolish facing a nine-foot giant without a sword or spear. But David didn't care. He wasn't there to prove his prowess as a warrior. His goal was to remove disgrace from Israel and bring glory to the Lord.

When you're truly focused on carrying out God's purpose, you honestly forget how you're going to look to others. If you're willing to see that God gets the glory, He'll make sure you win the victory.

7. Your pursuit of a God-ordained cause will inspire others to achieve God's purpose for their own lives.

David's slaying of Goliath had a profound effect on the armies of God. Verse 52 says, "And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines."

As you participate in your God-ordained cause, you'll inspire others to get out of their ditch of fear and pursue God's high purpose for their own lives.

This is the best measure of whether you're involved in a valid cause. If it benefits only you, it's probably counterfeit. But a God-ordained cause motivates and influences others to follow the Lord's will.

So take your eyes off your everyday struggles and start looking for God's high purpose in your life. Involve yourself in causes that are God-ordained and will propel you toward your true destiny. Whether you're young or old, you'll win great victories, reap great rewards, inspire others, and most importantly, bring glory to God as you help Him accomplish His purposes in the earth.

Mac Hammond Ministries
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission

Author Biography

Mac Hammond
Web site: Mac Hammond
 
Mac Hammond is the senior pastor of Living Word, a large and growing church in Brooklyn Park (a suburb of Minneapolis), Minnesota. He is the host of the Winner’s Minute, which is seen locally in the Minneapolis area on KMSP Channel 9 at 6:44 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. He is also the host of the Winner's Way broadcast and author of several internationally distributed books. Mac is broadly acclaimed for his ability to apply the principles of the Bible to practical situations and the challenges of daily living.
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