SEEKING SOLACE IN THE CAVE

Often we set goals for ourselves or have high expectations for our job, ministry, or our family.  There isn’t anything wrong with setting goals; it’s good to have direction or focus to keep us in the right direction.  Nevertheless, sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan, it has some unexpected turns or adventures.  As we stand in the midst of what we feel is “chaos” in our lives or utter failure, God is using it to bring about His will.  I admit, as I have been re-evaluating my life over the last few years, I felt as an utter failure in the eyes of God.  As a result, I didn’t want to pray or read the Word of God.  Although the only approval I desired was God’s, I felt as if I was un-worthy to step into His presence.  It wasn’t the desire of God, He pursued me with loving-kindness.   Sometimes, I am truly amazed at God’s patience and His loving-kindnesses, it never runs out.  Can I just be really honest?  I was simply mad at God.  So, as a result, I refused to come to Him, so I ran.  Yet, where can I really run from God’s presence? 

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7)

Oh, I am sure I am not the only person to seek solace in a cave, we all have done it.  We refuse to engage with others or we isolate ourselves to think things out.  No matter how hard we try “thinking it out” causes our hearts to be more frustrated or fall into despair.  As the voice of discouragement speaks into our heart, we begin to accept the circumstances.  We don’t see a solution or a way out of the problem, so it takes to a path of despair to lead us right into the cave.  Alone.  Empty.  Secluded.  Surrounded by utter darkness; no evidence of life around.  We don’t want anyone to see the depths of our wounds or the lies we are wrapped into believing.  Yet, this is where we find a great man of God, at a cave. (I Kings 19:9-11)  What led Elijah to the cave?  It wasn’t just the threat of his life from Jezebel; it was the final straw of a broken heart.  Elijah just had a major victory with the prophets of Baal, he even silenced their voice.  A stronghold on the children of Israel was destroyed through his ministry.  Yet, he was disappointed at the results of Israel’s heart; he wanted revival for his nation.  No repentance, no change.  Now the Queen has placed a summons for his head, so he runs. 

Elijah allowed the discouragement to blind his eyes, so the voice of fear had power to move him.

Discouragement comes from our own broken expectations; it’s not what “we expected” as the result.  It’s not that Elijah doubted God’s Word or His power; he was used mightily to show the truth. What was the truth?  “The Lord-he is God!” (I Kings 18:39)  We are the instrument to be used; God is the one to produce the results.  Elijah wanted a national revival!  He wanted to see the entire nation turn back to God.  Elijah forgot his past victories; so he had nothing to build his faith at the heat of the moment.  When we have major victories in prayer or in spiritual warfare, we can’t let our guard down.  Elijah defeated the PROPHETS but he allowed                                                                            the SINGLE VOICE of the enemy to defeat him.  

   

In our circumstances we have power to defeat them or allowing our circumstances to overcome us-it’s simply a battle of words.  What do you REALLY BELIEVE?  If we are standing in the cave; we are standing defeated.  God didn’t call Elijah to the cave, he went there himself.  (1 Kings 19:10)  God said, “What are you doing here Elijah?”  So, I will ask you the same question, “what are you doing here?”  Why are you standing in this cold, dark, isolated place?  What do you really believe about yourself? God? And the Word?  God doesn’t call His children to darkness; HE CALLS THEM OUT OF IT! What I love about the Lord is His passion for us; He will come to our aid.  He doesn’t allow His children to walk in misery; He comes to restore our soul.  Elijah was physically, mentally, and spiritually worn out to fight another battle.  Elijah didn’t have the strength to face the circumstances alone, so God ministered to Him.  When was the last time God truly ministered to you?

Oh, we may believe there is solace in the cave!  Yet, the only way out of the cave is to hear the voice of the Lord!  The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord wasn’t in the fire.  And after the fire came a GENTLE WHISPER.  When ELIJAH HEARD IT, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Right now your circumstances may be speaking loudly but it’s not the voice of God speaking-it’s a gentle whisper.  God wants to speak into your life but you have to allow Him the opportunity.  Your circumstances will speak into your life but only the voice of God has the final say.  Don't allow discouragement to blind your steps, so the enemy has power to move you.  God will call you to Himself; that's where you belong.  You don't belong in darkness; you are a child of light.

  

IN THE MIDDLE OF ZIKLAG

Have you ever heard the expression, "I am stuck between a rock and a hard place?"  I am not sure who spoke this famous phrase but it's has been a familiar location in my life once or twice.  Sometimes, I have wondered, "How am I going to get out of this one?"  As we clearly evaluate our surroundings, we have looked at ALL our options but we see no clear solution in sight.  With no clear direction for our problems, we begin to allow the spirit of fear to overcome us.  No matter what direction we turn, it seems as life is going to stay in the middle of Ziklag.

 As the oil is poured over David's head, I wonder what he thought of Samuel's prophetic word over his life.  Was he afraid?  Did he feel insecure?  Was he shocked?  Scripture doesn't record David's feelings on the matter.  Nevertheless, David wasn't aware of God's calling or Samuel's purpose to his house, he was faithfully attending the sheep.  David's calling was confirmed through the prophet Samuel, witnessed in front of his family, and a promised word waiting to be fulfilled.  When the Spirit of God calls us to serve the body of Christ it will be confirmed through the Word and the witness of the church.  It's never goes any other way! The call of God is always with a promise and everything in your life will be used for preparation.  David's reign as king wasn't instantaneous, so he was being prepared the moment the oil was poured.  The anointing separated him for God's work, empowered him, and left a promise waiting to be fulfilled. (I Samuel 16:13)

With only a promise and a life changing experience, David returns to be a shepherd under his father to start his preparation.  First, David had to learn the PURPOSE of a leader-it's risking your life to save others. Second, he had to learn the call doesn't come without a BATTLE, the enemy will use different weapons to wage war. (Lion/Bears) (I Samuel 17:34)  Third, he had to learn WHO to trust in this battles; it wasn't in his own abilities and he couldn't rely on others-he had to learn to trust God.  Next, he had to personal experience God's miraculous deliverance, so he gained confidence of WHAT he believes.  As his past experiences TAUGHT him, he could run towards his enemy to overtake him. (1 Samuel 17:48)

In Ziklag, David faces opposition not from his enemies but his followers - they want to kill him.  Once the "popular boy" the city sang praises about, he is now a wanted man by the king.  As the king hunting pursues David for eight years in the desert, he nearly lost it all.  He has no homeland, no close friendship, and no normal way of life, so he finds escape in the enemies camp.  David serves as a bandit under the Philistine army, he serves faithfully to destroy the Amalekites.  David was so faithful to the mission of the Philistine's he would destroy everything in sight: men, women, children, and keep the livestock.  (I Samuel 27:8-9)  So to add salt to injury, the Philistine rulers have convinced the king to dismiss David from the next assignment because of their fear of him. "Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens thousands?"

"It's not easy to wait for God's promised to be fulfilled especially when the enemies taunt us with their songs.  If we long to be fulfill God's call upon our lives, we have to willing to go through the desert.  The desert experience will cause us to feel "pressed down" or "winding" (the meaning of Ziklag) with no shelter, resources, or anyone except God alone.  Moses was led into the desert for forty years, David was wandering for eight years, and Jesus was LED by the spirit to the desert before his earthly ministry began.(Matthew 4:1)  It can be an uncomfortable experience but it's can't be passed. It can only be passed as Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that come from the mouth of God.' (Matthew 4:4)  As David and his men arrive in Ziklag, they are expecting the joyful reunion of their families, the comforts of home, and peace.  Instead of joyful reunion the men are distressed with sorrow, they have no strength left to weep. (I Samuel 30:4)  No comfort of home or possible future ahead, it's burned to the ground and their families taken.

 We have to learn, Gods Word is sufficient in our lives. It has the power to transform, empower, and to encourage us. David had to learn to STRENGTHEN himself in the Lord. David had to draw from the SOURCE of his life, God was enough to deliver him. David had a mob of men wanting to kill him, so he couldn't seek for their wisdom or support.  He wasn't going to find the support of the sheep, His support was His Shepherd.  Only in Ziklag could David learn a valuable lesson God is ENOUGH!  Yet, in all of this God had mercy upon David because his enemies didn't destroy him or his family.  Also, David and his men were dismissed from the army before anything worse could have happened.  David had men who desired to murder him, so what's are you facing today?

What are you facing in the middle of your Ziklag?  Are you standing in the middle of ashes with no hope, support, or shelter?  Are you questioning if God's promise will come to pass?  If all you have is a promise of God; it's all you need.  Besides Ziklag meaning "pressed down" or "winding" it also mean's fortress. ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/ziklag/)  You are not without HOPE!  Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved!  As David inquired of the Lord, He found his fortress who strengthened him, answered him, and led the way to destroy the enemies plot.  Not only did David get his family back but everything the enemy took from him. (1 Samuel 30:19)  So, if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's ok!  The rock is all you need to stand secure.