Frank's Bible Blog

Psalm 57—Cave Dwellers

Imagine for a moment that you are literally running for your life.

You haven’t done anything wrong, but a large group of men are chasing after you and will stop at nothing short of your death. You have been on the run for days, managing to stay just one step ahead of your adversaries. As you make your way over a ridge you stumble onto some hills and are surprised to find a cave. You duck into the cave. Your heart feels like it will beat through your chest.

Will you be discovered? Will this be the end for you? How long will you be able to hold out in the cave?

Now if that were me, those are the kinds of questions that would fill my mind. Admittedly, I would not be in the mood to sing! But that is what we find David doing as he fled from King Saul in Psalm 57. He is hiding out in a cave writing music! David saw the cave as God’s provision and the way in which God would keep David in the shadow of His wings “until the disaster has passed” (v1).

Sometimes in life God gives us a cave to duck into until the storm of our current problems passes. The cave isn’t necessarily the most pleasant place to be—certainly not long term—but it is a place of safety. It is a temporary place to collect your thoughts, to rest, to wait and even to grow.

Maybe that cave is a short-term job or ministry that God uses to “hold you over” while He readies something more permanent for you. Maybe the cave is a relationship that God brings into your life for a season to help you get through difficult times. Maybe the cave is a short-lived opportunity that will stretch and grow you into what God wants you to be long-term.

What do you do when you are in a cave? Four things: Remember God still has a purpose for your life even if you can’t see it right now (v2). Thank God for his love and faithfulness in sending you a cave (v3). Look for ways to glorify God in the midst of your cave (vv5, 11). Finally, stay positive and find something to sing about (vv7-8).

One final thought: don’t move out of the cave prematurely. David took refuge until the disaster was gone. God will, I believe, make it clear when it is safe to leave the cave and move on with your life. Until then take refuge in the shadow of His wing and be a cave dweller.

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Frank Banfill is an international speaker, leadership developer, and president of MaxPoint Ministries (www.maxpoint.org) which seeks to help individuals and ministries realize their full potential in Christ. Please forward this to your family & friends. To get Frank’s devotionals delivered free to your inbox, or to request reprint rights, visit www.FranksBibleBlog.com.

Hope for Bukabwa. Hope for You. Jer. 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”—Jeremiah 29:11

When Jesus talked about the ends of the earth, He must have had Bukabwa, Tanzania in mind. Located in the northeastern corner of this East Africa nation, Bukabwa is home to 5,000 people spread out over a large area. To get there, you take a long dirt road, and then you turn off onto another dirt “road.” I’m not sure the later actually qualifies as a road, but that’s what the locals call it. The second “road” cuts through thick bushes that scrape the side of your vehicle as you bump along across its very rough terrain.

Bukabwa isn’t much to look at.

Now don’t get me wrong—the hills and valleys surrounding it are beautiful—but Bukabwa itself is basically a collection of scattered mud huts with thatched roofs. There are a couple block buildings, including the medical clinic with its one nurse, but that is about it. Throw in some chickens, skinny cows and a goat or two and you pretty much have the lay of the land.

There aren’t any real jobs in Bukabwa, there is one year-round water supply that is a hike for most people to reach, and few children make the nine mile walk to school. Until a couple months ago, there wasn’t any church in Bukabwa.

Honestly, Bukabwa looks pretty hopeless. Imagine if you lived there. Would you have a hard time believing God’s word in Jeremiah 29:11 that God plans to give you hope and a future? It would be hard for me to believe.

You may not physically be in Bukabwa today, but you might be at a place in your life that sure seems like it. You look around and all you see is discouragement. No hope. No future. No life.

But like the people of Bukabwa, there is much that you do not see. You do not see God’s eternal plan. You do not see how He is moving in the hearts and lives of people to intersect your path at just the right time. You do not see the blessings of God that are already on their way.

I just returned from Bukabwa, and I can see those things. I can see them because I have the privilege of being part of a church that has adopted Bukabwa. I’m privy to some of God’s plans for the community.

We’ve brought the gospel to the community, started a church, provided Bibles, and began discipling young believers. In partnership with the residents, we will see a church building constructed in the next few months and a full-time pastor living in the community. Over the next few years we will see three or four more churches started, the introduction of micro business, the building and staffing of a school, and much more.

Why? Because God has a plan for this village at the end of the earth. Because God has a future for a place and a people that everyone else has ignored. Because God from eternity past has planned to prosper the people of Bukabwa.

Most of Bukabwa’s residents have no idea of the incredible things that are to come. They know they now have a church. They know they will soon have a building. But the rest…well, that will be a pleasant surprise as God unfolds His plan to them.

Look at the Jeremiah verse again. Do you believe it? You should! No, I can’t tell you specifically what God has in store for you, but if God can show His favor on Bukabwa a place that had almost no Christians until just recently, He will show His favor on you His child.

God has a plan for you and for me. I can hardly wait to see what it is!

If you would like to learn more about Bukabwa and see the village, check out the video at http://vimeo.com/22577940. If you or your church would like to adopt an African village like Bukabwa and help transform it physically and spiritually, then please contact me through the MaxPoint Ministries website at www.maxpoint.org.

--Frank Banfill