The Cave and The Rock

The Cave and The Rock

and after the fire came a still small voice…

The landscape before me was vast and bleak. Jagged peaks rose sharply, displaying various shades of brown and granite gray. As I stood at the mouth of the cave, I felt more alone than I had ever been. This sense of loneliness was different from the solitude I had often craved; it was deeper and more profound, a spiritual loneliness. I reflected on the story of Elijah, who sought the presence and safety of God in a cave while fleeing for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel. Elijah, faithful to the God of Israel, had stood up against the idolatry of his time and was hated for his boldness in proclaiming the eternal King and Kingdom. (You can read this story in 1 Kings 19.)

I felt an echo of that old prophet's yearning. But this was a different era, a different age, another time and place. This felt like the end of an age, the kind of days the prophets longed to see in their lifetimes. (as mentioned in Matthew 13:17).

As I gazed out into the vastness, I wept for the lost world, those who had turned their backs on the true Messiah, the King of Kings, Yeshua, the Anointed One. They chose a different Messiah, embracing what the religious elitist world offered. This was the same world that had been offered to Yeshua at the pinnacle, where the evil one had shown Him the kingdoms of the world, filled with glitter, gold, and greatness. Yet the Great One chose His Father’s perfect will. He chose the narrow way, the narrow path to inherit the kingdom for us.

I was beckoned by the Father to leave the temporary safety of the dark cave. I looked toward where He called me to walk. It was an extremely narrow path leading up the mountain to the end of my journey and to my forever home.

Cautiously, I stepped out of the cave onto the narrow way. To move forward, I had to take one step at a time. He instructed me to lean heavily to my right, against the rock. I obeyed, leaning into The Rock. He told me not to look down but to keep my eyes fixed on my goal, the end, my true home.

For the joy set before Him He endured the cross…YOU are His joy!

‍ ‍Heb 12:2

You may be experiencing profound sorrow as you observe the decisions being made by friends, neighbors, and even loved ones’ choices that seem disconnected from reality. It feels like there has been both an awakening and a kind of spellcasting. Many appear entranced by powerful voices that weave illusion and draw hearts into a web of deception. That seems impervious to pleading or prayer. 

I encourage you to look up; your redemption draws near! Stay on the narrow path, no matter how steep and treacherous it may be. Know that the Father, Son, His faithful Holy Angels, and the whole crowd of witnesses are cheering you on! It is the Holy Spirit that will give you the stamina to endure until the end. (Hebrews 12:1, Matt. 24:13).

You are almost home! Come out of your cave and walk the narrow path!

Shalom!

1 Kings 19

9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”

God’s Revelation to Elijah

…and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it…Matthew 7:14

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [e]a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”

15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also, you shall anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, as king over Israel. And Elisha, the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah, you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”