2 Corinthians 4:8-9 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
On Thursday of last week, my wife Andra and I visited the Ruby Falls, on Lookout Mountain, just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. We arrived ready for an adventure and the trip did not disappoint. We went to the gift shop and got our tickets and then after being called to the next tour, proceeded to the elevator and that elevator took us 260 feet down in the earth. Once down there we stepped into a world of stalagmites and stalagtites. The pathway we went on was lined with multi colored lights to highlight the different rock formations. The end of this cave journey took us to the beautiful Ruby Falls, and it was spectacular. It was so refreshing to see this beautiful waterfall in the midst of a dark, closed in cave. After walking toward Ruby Falls for about 1200 feet, we realized the only way out was back up that elevator. If the elevator broke down they did have an alternative to be able to get back to the surface. But, what if that was the only way in and out? We would be in a heap of trouble. They did have one group get stuck down there for eighteen hours and with the lights on it might not be so bad. But what if there were no lights? That is a darkness we cannot even comprehend.
Sometimes as we go through life we feel like we have fallen into a big, deep hole and there seems to be no way out. One thing after another presses on our soul and causes us to be disillusioned and hurt and we feel a sense of hopelessness. I have felt those feelings and the only thing that keeps me going during those times is my faith that God is with me and helping me. If I didn’t have God to rely on I would probably give up and quit. But He stays right here with me, helping me ,and giving me encouragement to keep on going. I really don’t what I would do if I didn’t have the Lord. He is my strength, my portion, my deliverer, and He promises not to leave me in the “Cave of Despair.” The Psalmist wrote about hope this way in Psalm 39:7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Without God there is no hope and we are destined to stay in the Cave of Despair. But with God we have the hope we need to, not just make it through the day, but live a victorious life every day. My hope is in the Lord. Where is yours? Spend time in God’s Word and get to know about the hope that only He can give us. Then you will move from the Cave of Despair to the beautiful Ruby Falls of living water. God’s presence is calling to each of us who know Him and He offers hope in the darkest caves and beautiful waterfall adventures to every life. Psalm 42:7 says 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
Let the hope that is a result of a deeper relationship with God be that which sustains you and causes you to know more about your Heavenly Father and your deepest cave will always have a working elevator to get out. God is so good, so very good!!
The Pilgrimage continues….
David Warren
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