Ministry Beyond The Cave

1 Sam 22:1-2 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Have you ever felt like you blew all the plans God had for you? Do you feel like you have failed all the tests and trials that have happened throughout your life? Does it seem like every time you turn around, that you have someone attacking you for something you haven't done? You feel like, What's the use? and you just want to hide away in a cave somewhere where you can escape from everything and everyone.

In I Samuel 22, so much was happening with David, that he was on the run for his life. He was being hunted down by King Saul, and did not know why. He even asked Jonathan, the son of King Saul, "What have I done?" In my own personal life, I have asked THAT question many times.

Lonely and disillusioned, David crawled into the only place he knew. The cave called Adullam. Adullam means "sealed off place". But in the deep dark cave, he turned to the only one he had and that was God. He was at the place where he felt no one cared. (Psalm 142:4) Through his despair he still found refuge in God as his true hiding place.

As David sought refuge, God brought people to him. And with these people came a challenge and a renewed courage. People that were also being mistreated and wronged, sought out David, who had been through the same things. David welcomed them in and provided the godly leadership that they needed.

In your darkest hour, God can give you a ministry of helping people who have been worn down by injustice. Just like David, you can emerge from your dark cave with a greater understanding of God's mercy and His purpose for your life. Your situation can change from a lonely desperation to a God-entrusted leadership.

Most likely you will never have to seek refuge from the sword of an angry king, but there will be times in your life that you feel like hiding out from other kinds of enemies like temptations, weaknesses, and people who want to trample your faith. Just remember when you face an enemy, that there is a place in God that offers protection, comfort, and direction for your life.

Your cave may be a place of escape that offers protection from life's troubles. And you may feel safe in your cave. Hiding places are valuable but can also complicate our lives if we barricade the entrance and not let anyone inside. That is when your cave can become a prison, where it keeps you locked in and keeps others locked out.

You may have entered into your cave full of despair like David but you can emerge full of praise if your hiding place is truly in God. Do not let your cave become a prison but let it become a haven - a place where you can pour your heart out to God and allow Him to heal your wounds. And also do not barricade the entrance, but allow an opening for the time God sends others to you.

What threatening enemies are forcing you into hiding today? And where do you go to hide? Have you made it a prison or a haven? Can you see God reaching out to you?

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."  Psalm 32:7

God gave David a mission ministering to other fugitives just like him self. Are you willing to step out of your cave to embrace God's mission for you, and to receive a new purpose for living? Be encouraged and know that there is a Ministry beyond the Cave.

Connie J. Schmoll

If you are viewing this from email, visit my site to watch the video of the song, "My Hiding Place" by Steven Curtis Chapman.