A firm foundation (Day 2)
It is important to have a cause built on an unshakable foundation. In the book of Matthew (7:24-27), Jesus speaks of a wise man and a foolish man and their choice of foundations. The wise man built his house upon the rock while the foolish man built his house upon the sand. Both their houses were subjected to the same elements: rains, floods and winds but while the wise man’s house remained standing, the foolish man’s house fell; and it all came down to the foundation.
What are your goals, dreams or aspirations built on? This is important because in order to be a champion of the cause God has placed on your heart, your foundation must be Christ. There is a passage of scripture that says, my people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far from me (Matt 15:8, Isaiah 29:13). See it is easy to claim to believe something, it’s easy to pick a purpose or a calling from a list because it appeals to you or because your father or mother did it, or wants you to do it, but when the time comes for that cause to be tested its foundation will determine whether it stands.
One of the great champions of the bible was a king named David. David was one of the most powerful kings of Israel known not only for his marvelous wartime feats but also for his heart towards God. But David did not start off with a desire to be king, he started off with a value system. Even while he was a shepherd taking care of his father’s sheep he had a cause and that cause manifested itself regardless of what point he was at in his life; that cause was to honour the name of God. David loved God and that love manifested itself into a heart for the defenseless and a heart for honouring the name of God. Joseph is another example, when he turned down the advances of his boss’ wife, saying “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God” (Gen 39:9, NLT), it was coming from a place he had settled within himself years before.
We are all different and so we will all manifest our heart’s desires in different ways, through different causes, different callings. But it is important to ensure that the causes we champion are built on an unshakable foundation and the most unshakable foundation according to the word of God, is Jesus Christ.
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. Isaiah 54:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:11
Many causes arise from foundations that are not sturdy; self glorification, power, pleasing others, meeting expectations and the like are not sure foundations. David had a cause to protect and to defend and that manifested itself when he was a shepherd in the way that he fought the lion and bear which threatened his helpless sheep. Then it manifested again when he performed his most famous feat of defeating a giant with a sling and a stone, when his people were helpless to do so themselves. But his cause to protect and to defend came from something deep and firmer than himself, it came from loving and wanting to honour God. When the giant disrespected the name of the God of Israel, David’s blood boiled and he stepped into action, because by then his cause was a natural part of him and that took him all the way to the throne.
When you have a heart after God, you have an unshakable foundation upon which you can securely build up your aims. The last thing you want is to be facing an enemy and have him easily sweep your feet from under you. In any contact sport, boxing, wrestling, karate etc, footing is important. The first thing you often learn is the proper stance, you have to prepare yourself to take a blow from your opponent before you can think of dishing them out. Because the rains will fall, the floods will come, the winds will blow, you can be sure of that, but what will determine if your cause remains is whether your foundation is sure.
David’s Cause: Protect and Defend
Do you have a heart for the helpless? Do you often find yourself standing up for others, taking on causes or desperately wanting to? Do people tend to refer to you as argumentative, protective, bold? If so maybe like David you have a cause to protect and to defend, but none of that matters unless it is founded and refined by Jesus Christ.
Assess what it is you are currently pursuing, whether it be in ministry, relationships or work is it set on a sure foundation or can it easily be shaken?
Be a blessing!
Remember you can keep up to date with upcoming entries for the ‘Champions of Today’ devotional series, by simply subscribing, which will mean that you get emails directly to you inbox, or by liking the Royalty Press Facebook page. Entries are posted every other day. If this encouraged you in anyway then share so someone else can be encouraged too.
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
You must be logged in to post a comment.