NS Ministries

David was chosen by God to be a king!

David was chosen by Saul to be dead!

David’s story is a living witness to the fact that having a special place in God’s heart does not isolate one from adversities. But then I didn’t have to tell you that you’re been-there-done-that person as well.

Bible scholars say that David wrote Psalms 142 from a cave. Ever been in a cave? I have on several occasions it’s quite an experience. I remember on one occasion our guide told us to stand still and not move. Then suddenly he turned out the lights! Never before have I ever experienced darkness. I could feel the palm of my hand on my nose but I could not see it. I am not sure if the cave David was in was that dark but his reason for being there probably was.

From my experience of touring a few caves I discovered that they are not only places of sanctuary but also places of loneliness as well. I am sure David felt safe in the cave yet at the same time he felt isolated as well. Yet it was his isolation that reminded him that his God was ever present.

Life is such that from time to time we WILL find ourselves standing in a cave. Some of those times will be our own doing other times it will be because circumstances beyond our control have placed us there. While there we can react in two different ways. We can begin a hearty pity-party or we can begin to call upon and deepen our relationship with God.

Lord, I cry out to you. I say, “You are my protection. You are all I want in this life.” Listen to my cry, because I am helpless. Save me from those who are chasing me, because they are too strong for me. Free me from my prison, and then I will praise your name. Then good people will surround me, because you have taken care of me. (Psalm 142:5-7)

Cave time is prayer time! Cave time is God time! Cave time is not a time of giving up – cave time is a time for strengthening up!

Some caves we find ourselves in are not dark, made of stone, and are underground. Some caves envelop us in the bright of day or on a star filled night. I’ve been in caves at my former workplace. I’ve even been in caves while sitting in church. And some of the darkest caves have been in my own house. And then there are hospital operating rooms – emergency rooms – doctor’s offices.

The first thing you need to do when you find yourself in a cave is to drop to your knees and into God’s hands. There are seven words that always bring a smile to God’s face, a song in God’s heart, and a blessing in his hands – “God, I am helpless please help me!”

Those seven words uttered with genuine faith will motivate God and he will move heaven and earth to see that your cave dwelling time will be a time of blessing and when the blessing has run its course the walls of your cave will suddenly disappear.

Peter spent time in a cave (the book of Acts calls it a jail) Peter prayed, others prayed and: “The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Other soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shined in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Hurry! Get up!” the angel said. And the chains fell off Peter’s hands. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And Peter did. Then the angel said, “Put on your coat and follow me.” So Peter followed him out, but he did not know if what the angel was doing was real; he thought he might be seeing a vision. They went past the first and second guards and came to the iron gate that separated them from the city. The gate opened by itself for them, and they went through it. When they had walked down one street, the angel suddenly left him.” (Acts 12:6-10)

You may not get an angel like Peter did but God will send someone with his blessing!

  Here’s a wild thought for you to consider with thinking about caves. Could it be that God’s Kingdom on Earth is similar to a cave? Don’t a cave and the Kingdom both present themselves as Sanctuaries? Don’t a cave and the Kingdom both afford you the opportunity to become more intimate with God and with others?

Could there be some caves we should run to and not away from? And how about the possibility of a cave within a cave?

There is one more cave (it’s not really a cave) that entirely altered the history of YOUR life. This cave held the dead body of Jesus for three days and then a miracle to end all miracles rocked not only the cave but all of history at the same time! “Very early on the first day of the week, at dawn, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance of the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, two men in shining clothes suddenly stood beside them. The women were very afraid and bowed their heads to the ground. The men said to them, “Why are you looking for a living person in this place for the dead? He is not here; he has risen from the dead. Do you remember what he told you in Galilee?” (Luke 24:1-6)

Not a day goes by but what we shouldn’t at least once make an imaginary journey to the empty cave of Jesus to remind ourselves that he is not there – he is in the very fabric of our lives – and accompanies us into every cave imaginable.

“I cry out to the Lord; I pray to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my problems to him; I tell him my troubles.  When I am afraid, you, Lord, know the way out. In the path where I walk, a trap is hidden for me. Look around me and see. No one cares about me. I have no place of safety; no one cares if I live.” (Psalm 142:1-4)

In spite of what David wrote in the end he did find someone cared and he did find himself in a place of safety – he discovered that God cared about him and he discovered that there is no safer place ANYWHERE than in God’s presence.

I may never know your name and we may never meet (maybe in heaven we will, however) but you are not alone in your cave and I do care that you are there otherwise I would never have spent my time writing and making this available to you.

In a cave?

Need God?

Look around you he’s there!

Maybe, just maybe he made this available just for you!