Glory Seed Devotional 09/08/2014

[LostSheep]

Amen Gary! Very kind *and* timely words to me.

[Crusty Christian]

A Planting of Faith Seeds for the Glory of the LORD
Caves are Sanctuaries for Christ’s Peace…

“I pray to you, LORD! You are my place of safety, and you are my choice in the land of the living. Please answer my prayer. I am completely helpless. Help! They are chasing me, and they are too strong. Rescue me from this prison, so I can praise your name. And when your people notice your wonderful kindness to me, they will rush to my side.” (Psalm 142:5–7, CEV)

The bible says David wrote Psalm 142 while in a cave where he spent some quality time with God. Cave time is prayer time! Cave time is God time! Cave time is not a time of giving up – cave time is a time for strengthening!

Some caves we find ourselves in are not dark, made of stone, and are underground. Some caves envelop us in the bright of day or on a star filled night. I’ve been in caves at my former workplace. I’ve even been in caves while sitting in church. And some of the darkest caves have been in my own house. And then there are hospital operating rooms – emergency rooms – doctor’s offices.

The first thing you need to do when you find yourself in a cave is to drop to your knees and into God’s hands. There are seven words that always bring a smile to God’s face, a song in God’s heart, and a blessing in his hands – “God, I am helpless please help me!” Those seven words uttered with genuine faith will motivate God and he will move heaven and earth to see that your cave dwelling time will be a time of blessing and when the blessing has run its course the walls of your cave will suddenly disappear.

Peter spent time in a cave (the book of Acts calls it a jail) Peter prayed, others prayed and… “The night before Peter was to be put on trial, he was asleep and bound by two chains. A soldier was guarding him on each side, and two other soldiers were guarding the entrance to the jail. Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared, and light flashed around in the cell. The angel poked Peter in the side and woke him up. Then he said, “Quick! Get up!” The chains fell off his hands, and the angel said, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” Peter did what he was told. Then the angel said, “Now put on your coat and follow me.” Peter left with the angel, but he thought everything was only a dream. They went past the two groups of soldiers, and when they came to the iron gate to the city, it opened by itself. They went out and were going along the street, when all at once the angel disappeared.” (Acts 12:6–10, CEV)

You may not get an angel like Peter did but God will send someone with his blessing!

Here’s a wild thought for you to consider with thinking about caves. Could it be that God’s Kingdom on Earth is similar to a cave? Don’t both of them present themselves as Sanctuaries? Don’t both of them afford you the opportunity to become more intimate with God and with others? Isn’t it possible that there could there be some caves we should run to and not away from?

And we can’t forget the cave that entirely altered the history of YOUR life. This cave held the dead body of Jesus for three days and then a miracle to end all miracles rocked not only the cave but all of history at the same time!

Not a day goes by but what we shouldn’t at least once make an imaginary visit to the empty cave of Jesus’ tomb to remind ourselves that he is not there – he is in the very fabric of our lives – and accompanies us into every cave imaginable.

Believe it! Experience it!
Grace and PEACE!
Gary

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“Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6, CEV)

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Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.

Scripture marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.