Is there not a cause

Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" – 1 Samuel 17.28-29

David was the typical little brother. It looks like he was picked on by the big brothers. When Dad sent him to take provisions Eliab accused him of only coming to see the fight.

If this family was like most families David was probably used to this kind of thing. I think I can safely parrowphrase the story this way.  We raised five boys so we do have a little insight into brothers.

‘What are you doing here you little brat? Does Dad know you’re here? You only came down here to see the fight. You need to go back home before you get yourself in trouble!’

But David wasn’t ruffled.

‘Now what have I done wrong? I came for a reason.’

The obvious reason was to bring the provisions to his brothers, but there was more to it than that. God had sent him there for an express purpose. He came ‘for such a time as this.’

God’s people were in a jam. They needed a man of God to step to the front and confront the Philistine champion. There was indeed a cause and David was the man to step up to the task.

Like David we too have a cause. It may be ‘small’ like bringing the brothers their lunch or it may be huge like facing up to a giant. We never know where doing the right thing might lead us.

Yes, there is a cause. What will we do about it?