CAVE TRAINING
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
When we left David last time he was running for his life
When we left David last time he was running for his life
You will remember, though, that it didn’t start that way …
Saul couldn’t stand David’s popularity – jealousy consumed him … thus, David began to suffer lose
We saw last time a man whose securities had failed him – one at a time until he had nothing left to trust in - but God
We saw last time a man whose securities had failed him – one at a time until he had nothing left to trust in - but God
Being as popular as he was among the people, David had no place to hide among men
As soon as he could, David fled from Gath … “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam” (1 Sam. 22:1a)
It was a long way from the airy palace of a king to the dark, dampness of a remote cave
As David stumbled into this remote hideout that first night, just glad to be alive, he was a man completely stripped of means … only his clothes and perhaps Goliath’s sword
In those early days in the blackness of the cavern, David was a troubled man
The writer of 1 Samuel has spared us the description of David’s turmoil, and, if all we had were what is written in these few verses, we might conclude that David just shrugged it off and went right on with his life – unaffected.
The writer of 1 Samuel has spared us the description of David’s turmoil, and, if all we had were what is written in these few verses, we might conclude that David just shrugged it off and went right on with his life – unaffected.
But such was not the case. Like you and me, when things go bad, David was hurting.
David was a man of music if you recall, and like many on that bent today, he turned in his troubles to song – playing the blues
Powerful music has come from troubled experiences – and such was the case with David.
We have in our possession several Psalms written by David during times of great difficulty – turn to Psalm 142
Try to imagine David composing this Psalm there in the dim light of the cave as we read it
Try to imagine David composing this Psalm there in the dim light of the cave as we read it
1 I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; With my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I show before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me. 4 Look on my right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O Jehovah; I said, Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
Notice the heading of this psalm, “Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave”
“Maschil” has reference to a didactic Psalm – it is written as a teaching psalm. It was meant to be read or sang for the purpose of instruction
Thus, we should ask, “What does it teach us?” What was it that David learned in the cave that he wants us to learn?
DISCUSSION
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED FOR PRAYER
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED FOR PRAYER
One of the hardest of the spiritual disciplines to maintain for many Christians is consistency in prayer
One of the hardest of the spiritual disciplines to maintain for many Christians is consistency in prayer
We are busy…neglect meaningful conversation with God
We know this is not good, but we have a hard time breaking the pattern
Many times it is hard to see the need for prayer when times are good - the Bible says...
Many times it is hard to see the need for prayer when times are good - the Bible says...
17 pray without ceasing;
1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
Listen to David as he pours out is heart to God...
Listen to David as he pours out is heart to God...
1 I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; With my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I show before him my trouble.
Can’t you hear David’s prayer echoing off the walls of the cave?
He’s hurting – he’s in despair. David is keenly aware of his need to talk to God.
Cave experiences do that to us. When you experience one, it will probably bring you closer to God in prayer
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED TO UPROOT OUR SELF-SUFFICIENT AND INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED TO UPROOT OUR SELF-SUFFICIENT AND INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Probably the real root behind our lack of prayer life is the sense of self-sufficiency and independence.
Probably the real root behind our lack of prayer life is the sense of self-sufficiency and independence.
We do not want to admit that we have need. Most of us have a deep running independent spirit that would rather say “I can do it myself.”
Even if we do not say the words - we sometimes live like it.
Man has to be shown that he cannot save himself before he will reach out for God.
Man has to be shown that he cannot save himself before he will reach out for God.
Very few acknowledge their need for God without first seeing their own insufficiency.
This is the reason many reject the gospel
The only way we can survive the Judgment is with God’s help
Coming to God for help requires that we admit our weaknesses and insufficiencies.
Coming to God for help requires that we admit our weaknesses and insufficiencies.
For many it takes a cave experience to get them to wake up and face reality
For many it takes a cave experience to get them to wake up and face reality
How much of a self-sufficient spirit is in you?
David acknowledges his insufficiency in the cave …
Psalm 142:3a (ASV 1901)
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
Psalm 142:4c (ASV 1901)
4 Look on my right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul.
6 Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I.
These are the words of a man who is humbled – realizing his mortality. David knew he needed God.
These are the words of a man who is humbled – realizing his mortality. David knew he needed God.
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED TO FIND COMFORT IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE NEED TO FIND COMFORT IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE
28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
We have heard this verse often – but do we really believe it?
The principle is called “God’s providence” - it is a precious promise that Christians have in this life – but many are ignoring it
David acknowledges God’s providence behind his seemingly dismal circumstances in...
David acknowledges God’s providence behind his seemingly dismal circumstances in...
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
David is saying that, in spite of all that seems to be going on against him, God knows it and has it under control and is working it all out as a part of His plan to do good for David.
You see, we get so wrapped up in the everyday obligations like working and taking care of business that we never think of God’s providence in our lives
Then when a cave experience hits – we are out of practice relying of God’s providence
There is a quiet confidence that is within reach of every child of God who trusts in the providence of God.
There is a quiet confidence that is within reach of every child of God who trusts in the providence of God.
This is mentioned several times in the Bible:
15 For thus said the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. And ye would not:
...God wants us to quietly trust in Him
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE VALUE OF WHAT WE HAVE AND THE NEED TO BE THANKFUL
A CAVE EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW US LIKE NOTHING ELSE CAN THE VALUE OF WHAT WE HAVE AND THE NEED TO BE THANKFUL
Many have difficulty with discontentment
Many have difficulty with discontentment
They want what they do not have
Many do not have the patience to wait
The apostle Paul learned the secret of contentment…
The apostle Paul learned the secret of contentment…
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. 13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
Discontentment can make a person’s life miserable, it produces complaining, unthankfulness - in children we say “spoiled brats”
Discontentment can make a person’s life miserable, it produces complaining, unthankfulness - in children we say “spoiled brats”
A cave experience can help us to appreciate and be thankful for what we have never considered before…
A cave experience can help us to appreciate and be thankful for what we have never considered before…
7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
CONCLUSION
What has the cave done for you? Or, what is the cave doing for you right now?
What has the cave done for you? Or, what is the cave doing for you right now?
A cave experience will teach you the need:
A cave experience will teach you the need:
Of prayer
Ridding yourself of self-sufficiency
To rely on God’s providence
To be content
Perhaps rather than complaining, the caves of life ought to have us thanking God
Perhaps rather than complaining, the caves of life ought to have us thanking God