Leaving the cave while you can!

Ever need a shelter from the storm?

Wouldn't a cave be a good place to hide? Wouldn't it be a nice and safe place to get out of the weather? I am about to put a thought out there, could it also be a "Prison"?

In the story of Lot, God wanted him to go to the mountains, but Lot wanted things his way. So, he asked if he could go to Zoar. Once he got there, he didn't have the faith in God to take care of him. This put Lot in a fearful state and caused him to run and hide in a cave.

I must confess.............I've been there, in need of a shelter, scared, desperate and not knowing where to turn next. What else but go crawl up in a ball, suck my thumb and lick my wounds. This is my own personal "cave."

I would like to make a comment and suggestion about us going into our "caves."

In Joshua 10, there is a story of 5 Amorite Kings. These kings hid in the cave at Makkedah from Joshua and his army after realizing they where about to lose the battle.  When Joshua heard about these kings hiding in the cave, he had his men roll a stone in front of it to hold them there.

You see, what was at first their shelter from the storm or their "hiding place" has now become their "PRISON."

When we run from the problem and "hide" we tie God's hands from giving us the victory in the situation. Some will say, "You can't tie God's hands!" I beg to differ. He will never force Himself on us nor will He place His will with ours. We have to put our will with His. He is a gentleman.

I will wrap things up with this thought. We have to be very careful about "hiding in caves." We will get comfortable there, then just like in Joshua it can and will become a prison. Then when you are in a prison, who is the decision maker as to when you get out??????

NOT YOU!

Here is the kicker to all of this.  The story in the 10th chapter of Joshua has many great things that I am attempting to apply in my life and I encourage others to do also.

Read it, the kings first went to the cave to hide from their troubles. Then Joshua found out and had his men roll a stone in front to prevent them from leaving. (They where no longer in control) nor had the power to leave when they wanted. Then the aweful finality to this story is that when Joshua had finished fighting the battle he returned to that cave and he slew those 5 kings. Then he had his men throw them back into the cave and roll the stone in front again.

THE HIDING PLACE BECAME A PRISON AND ENDED UP AS A GRAVE!!!!

I realize this is alot shorter then usual, but if you would like to know  the complete "story" Read Joshua or come hear me preach tommorow @ AHF in Murray Ky.

Until next time God Bless!