"Five Smooth Stones For Five Wrongful Motives"

Title of the message: “Five Smooth Stones for Five Wrong Motives,”

Key Verse: (Psa 25:2 KJV) O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

For this study, I wanted to find a text that best describes the emotions and the situation that would bring about this prayer request of David in Psalm 25. I could think of no better text than that of the well known story of David and Goliath. Let me share a couple of key verses with you. I want to address the question, “What was the genuine motive of David as he saw the “cause” to come against Goliath?

(1 Sam 17:24 KJV) And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

1. Some would consider “personal glory” a reason to fight against Goliath.

David, in all of the enthusiasm of his youth seemed willing and ready to fight any thing as he approached the scene of the battle. I can just envision him as he hurries from his carriage and salutes the commanding officers on the field of battle. He is eager to engage the enemy. While all others were dreadfully afraid of the giant, David is ready to do battle. Personal glory would be his if he could triumph over the enemy.

(1 Sam 17:25 KJV) And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches…

2. Most people do whatever they do because there is the motive of money in the pot.

We often only think of Judas for betraying Christ for the money, but the truth is most people are only motivated by money. The chief reason why they do anything is for the money that controls their agenda. David was told that money could be made by slaying the giant.

…and will give him his daughter…

3. Do it for romance.

Marriage to King’s daughter was the promise. I am sure that Saul’s daughter was beautiful. “Do it for love!” Love would have been a worthy motive.

4. Again, using the same verse: Do it for power.

Being married for the King’s daughter would have been motive enough. Think of what good stead that would have placed David in if he could defeat the champion of the Philistines?

…and make his father’s house free in Israel.

5. Do it for the cause of liberty.

Think of it, “no more taxes!” The household of David would be “free.” David could be a freedom fighter. He could be patriotic, “Do it for the love of your comrades and country!”

(1 Sam 17:26 KJV) And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the the living God? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

(1 Sam 17:29 KJV) And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Supreme motive:

When David beheld the situation and said “Is there not a cause,” the pure motive of his heart was:

Do it for the glory of God!

No wonder God would grant him the victory on the field of battle!

What is your “pure” motive in life?

Other thoughts to consider, again our Key Verse is:

(Psa 25:2 KJV) O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

No man wants to see himself as a failure, nor is that the desire of God.

God receives no glory from the gossip, his glory is in the gospel. God delights in grace.

God longs to pour his love upon the humble soul.