Living in a Cave... {{repost}}

As I was looking through some old archives,
I came across this 'old' post.
It was an encouragement to me to read it again...

{{Originally written Monday, March 6, 2006...}}


Yesterday evening, our pastor began his sermon
in 1 Samuel 22 and in Psalm 57...
when David was taking refuge in a cave.

Maybe it shouldn't amaze me, but it does...
how YHVH {the LORD} uses every piece of His Word
to parallel and apply to our own lives and situation.
Well, last night was one of those times
when I finally let it sink in
and allowed my eyes to be opened.


I've been living in a 'cave'
(metaphorically speaking, of course)...
waiting to move out of this 'cave',
becoming discontent with this 'cave',
and questioning why He is choosing
to keep me here in this particular situation.

... Trying to wait patiently but,
in all honesty, have been failing.
Going through 'bouts' of accepting His will
and making the best out of this 'cave'.
Then there are 'bouts' of focusing on my own will,
my own desires, my own ideas,
and feeling in despair in my 'cave'.

Last night was the reminder I needed.
And YHVH knew
exactly what it was that I needed to hear
to gain a clearer perspective.


I was reminded that sometimes
YHVH allows us to sit where we are
so that He can tune our hearts.
And in distresses,
to move us to where He wants us to be.
That in those times of limitations,
we can learn to value His will.


We sometimes carry the idea
that when things are going right and well for us,
that is when we are closest to Him.
But that is not necessarily correct...

He is near to the broken hearted...

"The LORD {YHVH} is nigh (near; next)
unto them that are of a broken (hurt) heart;
and saveth (help; preserve; get victory) such
as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit."
~ Psalm 34:18


I was reminded that sometimes
YHVH does allow us to stay at a 'stand-still',
to remain where we are,
and that there have been plenty of others
that have endured those times
and we are no different than them...

Ex... Moses (40 years in the desert);
Joseph (2 years in prison);
Caleb (40 years in desert);
Paul (time in prison)...
How reassuring to be reminded
that YHVH, our Elohim,
knows exactly where we are
(He put us there
or, at least, allowed it)
and He knows exactly what He's doing.


The Spirit brought to mind
some Scripture for me in this time
that I intend on re-memorizing
and posting on index cards for daily reminders...
(emphasis added by me)


"Rest in the LORD {YHVH},
and wait patiently for Him..."
~ Psalm 37:7


"For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18


"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on Thee:
because he trusteth in Thee.
Trust ye in the LORD {YHVH} for ever:
for in the LORD JEHOVAH {YAH YHVH}
is everlasting strength."
~ Isaiah 26:3-4


"This I recall to my mind,
therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD'S {YHVH} mercies
that we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is Thy faithfulness.
The LORD {YHVH} is my portion, saith my soul;
therefore will I hope in Him.
The LORD {YHVH} is good unto them
that wait for Him,
to the soul that seeketh Him.
It is good that a man should both
hope and quietly wait
for the salvation of the LORD {YHVH}."
~ Lamentations 3:21-26 (and on)


"Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content."
~ Philippians 4:11



Our pastor listed some things
that David learned while in his cave from Psalm 57:


1. YHVH would protect Him (v.1)
"Be merciful unto me, O God {Elohim},
be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusteth in Thee:
yea, in the shadow of Thy wings
will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast."


2. He figured out how to pray (v.2)
"I will cry unto God {Elohim} most high;
unto God {Elohim}
that performeth all things for me."


3. He understood YHVH had a plan (v.3)
"He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him
that would swallow me up. Selah.
God {Elohim} shall send forth
His mercy and His truth."


4. YHVH increased his perception
and discernment (v.4)
"My soul is among lions:
and I lie even among them
that are set on fire, even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword."


5. He learned how to praise YHVH (v.5)
"Be thou exalted, O God {Elohim},
above the heavens;
let Thy glory be above all the earth."


6. He understood the power of YHVH (v.6,7)
"They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me,
into the midst whereof
they are fallen themselves. Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God {Elohim},
my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise."


7. His heart was filled with praise (v.8-11)
"Awake up, my glory;
awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O LORD {YHVH},
among the people:
I will sing unto Thee among the nations.
For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and Thy truth unto the clouds.
Be Thou exalted, O God {Elohim},
above the heavens:
let Thy glory be above all the earth."


My prayer is that while I am living in my 'cave'
and any future 'cave' that I may dwell in,
may my heart be especially humble and teachable.
May I learn all the things
that YHVH desires for me to learn
so that my 'cave dwelling' will not be in vain.