Check Your Motivation

“So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army. Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.

The men of Israel said, ‘Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.’ Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’ The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, ‘Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.” 1 Samuel 17:20-27

Think about the times in your life when problems seemed too large for you to handle. Most of us have faced times when we did not know how we could possible handle the circumstances. Yet God never fails to keep His promises. In His mercy, He always provides a way.

I recommend keeping a daily journal to help you recall God’s work in your life. Be sure to record all the challenges you’re facing and what you are trusting God to do in that situation. Ask Him to give you specific Scriptures that address the issues as well as His promises for your future.

A person with a conquering faith also reexamines and reaffirms the proper motivation for going into battle. David did not rush into battle without accurately assessing the situation. He came to a realization that the battle facing Israel was spiritual in nature. Therefore, his primary motivation for fighting Goliath wasn’t to gain wealth or fame but to exalt God.

It’s always wise to ask three questions before dealing with any conflict or problem: “What is my motivation for entering this battle? What is God’s purpose for me in facing this conflict? And what’s really going on here?” Many times the enemy attacks us with the sole purpose of discouraging us. Even if the challenge we face involves the death of a loved one, God has something for us to learn in the sorrow. He wants to be our Comforter and Counselor.