How to behave in a cave

Have you ever felt you’re totally trapped in a situation or circumstance or even been in a position where you had to simply retreat to regroup? Have you ever been in a place where you can’t see the wood for the trees, maybe between a rock and a hard place with all sorts of enemies/adversaries bearing down on you?  You’re in good company. 

How we respond in these times can determine the outcome of the next chapter or two of our lives and I believe, to some extent how long we stay in that place.

A bit of background is useful here. You can read the full account in 1 Sam 16. David has been anointed as King.  While ‘waiting for coronation’, he defeats the giant Goliath, routs the Philistine army and King Saul is so impressed he promotes him to a high rank in the army.  It doesn’t take long for Saul’s jealousy to kick in and he attempts to kill David on a couple of occasions so David retreats to the cave at Adullam.  1 Sam 22:2 says, “All those who were in distress, in debt or discontented gathered around him and he became their leader.”

So here’s David right after a major victory, hiding in a cave with a few hundred misfits and malcontents. Who else after major victory found themselves on the run or in hiding? I’m reminded the great prophet Elijah was in fear of his life after defeating 450 prophets of Baal at the ‘big barbecue’ on Mt Carmel because wicked Jezebel was out to kill him.   So if you’re feeling like you’re in a cave, you’re in good company.

David had been anointed as the next king – but there was a delay, testing and strengthening on the way.

Just a few points we can draw from this account…

1.         GOD’S DELAY IS NOT GOD’S DENIAL

In the times when we’re ‘in the cave’, just when we thought we were going to capitalise on the last victory and we’re really gaining some momentum, suddenly there’s another delay.  Sometimes it’s God’s way of keeping us from impending danger or even making some wrong turns. Other times it’s more about other pieces of the “puzzle” being put into place so WE can move forward.  We’re so limited by our human sight. 

We need patience, perseverance and commitment to God’s call on our lives whatever that may look like.  Keep doing what God told you to do until He tells you to do something else. Waiting time doesn’t have to equal wasted time.  I look back on my life and see how delays were often there for my own safety.  It’s how we use the waiting time that determines whether or not our “character muscles” grow or shrink.

2.         DON’T REACT, RESPOND.

“What’s going on here Lord? Didn’t you say I was to be king?”  No David responded by being faithful and “enquired of the Lord” – stayed in a place of communion with God.  Although he was hiding from Saul, he stayed close to the One who could provide the strength and direction for his life.

3.         DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF.

David wasn’t literally in the cave all this time, but he was symbolically in a cave.  He wasn’t yet on the throne – the total victory wasn’t his. 

David in all this time protected himself against negativity. In 1 Sam 30 we read the Amalekites had wiped out Ziklag and taken away the women and children. They all wept bitterly. Even David’s wives had been kidnapped. Verse 6 “David was GREATLY DISTRESSED because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.”

“David strengthened himself in the Lord!” 

The Bible doesn’t say how he did this but no doubt it entailed worship and an intentional focus or perhaps reminder of the previous victories the Lord had brought about in His life.  Whatever he did we can see it resulted in another victory. He called for the Ephod, sought directions from God and marched into Ziklag and recovered ALL the enemy had stolen including all their wives and children!

So how do we behave in a cave?  

Remember

God’s delay is not denial – choose to grow in the times of testing and challenge.

Don’t react, respond. “What are you doing here Lord, should I go up against the enemy here or wait” – God’s timing is perfect.

Strengthen yourself in the Lord – make the cave a place of worship and intimacy with your Father who only has the best for you!