HE'S PRESENT IN YOUR CAVE

"When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who knows my way"
Psalm 142:3

Caves are horrible and cold. Damp. Fit for bears and other animals that can withstand the loneliness. David came to a place in his life where he ended up in a cave. David the Giant Killer. David, God's anointed. David the killer of bears and lions. Of whom was said "Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands". One day he's anointed by Samuel to be king. One day he's invited to play for the present king and to live in the palace. The next he's running for his life.

Yet it is during the "cave experiences" of our lives, during those dark and damp moments when it seems that all hope is lost, that God comes in with strength and power. When we grow weary spiritually, it isn't our friends that will help us back on our way, although we are certainly to rely on one another for strength and comfort. It is not our loved ones that will push us back into a deeper relationship with our Lord. It is God. He is the only One that truly knows the way back into the strength of that relationship.

Once David realized this, God was able to restore him during his cave experience. We know this because when we read the following in 1 Samuel 22 we find David in his cave along with "all those who were in distress or in debt or discontented". And he became their leader. Something wonderful happens when God enables you to grow throughout these experiences of your life: people around you notice. They can't explain how you made it through. They can't figure out how you maintained your composure and strength. The answer is found in one of David's other psalms:

"He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge" (Psalm 144:2).

May this be what shines through and into other people's lives...in the unfailing name of Jesus.