Cave Dwellers

Howdy Gang…. Hope your November finds you THANKFUL!!! My heart is so full of gratitude for all my Heavenly Father does and is to me!!!

So I’ve been reading in the book of 1 Samuel….. again…. and it’s interesting each and every time I revisit a passage the different things I pull out and learn! It just seems to be endless the revelation we can get each and every time we read!! Love it…..

Anyway, 1 Samuel 22 is the passage where David has been on the run from King Saul. Remember King Saul is out to kill David…. pretty much over pride and insecurity! (That is a whole other message). The chapter begins with David “escaping” to the “cave” of Adullam. While there, “others began joining him …..his brothers, all his relatives. Verse 2 says “Then others began coming – men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented-until David was the Captain of about 400 men.” As the passage continues David leaves his parents under the protection of the King of Moab. Verse 4 says, “So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his STRONGHOLD“. Verse 5 continues with, “One day the prophet Gad told David, “leave the STRONGHOLD and return to the land of Judah”.

Now, let’s pull this a part a bit so we have a better understanding of what’s going on here. First, we see that David is living in a cave (by himself first before he was ever joined by family, friends etc). He’s at the lowest point in his life…..he has lost his job, his wife, his home, his closest friend as well as his self-respect and pride. What do you suppose this cave might have looked like/felt like?? This place is most likely dark, dismal, cold, disillusioning, lonely, and probably very very desperate.

Ever feel like that?? Alone in your situation, separated without relief in sight, no “light at the end of the tunnel (cave)? Well I can tell you I’ve definitely been there and I’m bettin’ many of you have been as well!

Remember verse 2 tells us “others began to join him”. You’re not alone!!

Interestingly, verse 5 continues, “ONE DAY…the prophet Gad told David, “LEAVE THE STRONGHOLD and return to the land of Judah”. In both verse 4 and 5 the word stronghold is written. It is defined as “being hunted, snared (as in a net), chased, to “lie and wait”. Ever feel like you’re being chased by the enemy, hunted, snagged in a net, or your enemy is “lying and waiting” to destroy you?? Please understand, as Christians we will spend some time in caves. The great Apostle Paul had more “cave” moments than I’d ever care to have!! So, take heart because no matter the cave experience you are having or have had, God says…… then comes that day…..where we return to the land of Judah (defined as the land of PRAISE). Ya see, when we are driven into these places (caves) in our journey as Christians on this earth, God uses these times to foster, mold, and refine us so as we come out of these STRONGHOLDS of our enemy …. we are stronger in our faith, built-up, and full of the wisdom of God!

So be encouraged…..if your visiting a cave right now and it seems dark, lonely, with no end in sight….. KNOW that your Father is at work both in your situation and in YOU!!!

Let this be the day where all of us cave-dwellers gather together, RISING UP against the strongholds of our enemy and enter into the land of JUDAH -PRAISE!!!!

BLESSINGS!!!