Out of the darkness and into the Light
1/11/13
The
invitation came and the young man accepted it wholeheartedly since his love for
cave exploration had been deeply rooted within him from childhood. You
see his dad would often take him as a boy on trips into caves near where they
lived, so when an invitation came to actually explore Mammoth Cave, he could
not resist and sent in his registration immediately!
Although
the trip was many months out, he began getting his gear ready, making sure that
he had his lights, pack, boots, coveralls and such all packed in advance. Oh
and not to forget his old beat up hardhat, which was a sign of a serious caver,
and no way would he even think about cleaning the mud off from the previous
trips!
Once
arriving at Mammoth Cave National Park campgrounds, he found the shade of a
large tree to make his home for the week. There were many trips into
the cave that eventful week, but one in particular was quite memorable. On
a long hike to an extremely remote cave entrance, large droplets of sweat began
beading down his forehead and into his eyes, which then dripped off the tip of
his nose and chin. Once arriving at the entrance, the cool air was
felt blowing up out of the mouth of the cave, which was a delightful relief
from the steamy oppressiveness of the dense Kentucky woodlands.
Upon
their descent into the darkness of the subterranean hollows and after many
miles of vigorous and exhausting exploration, the call eventually went out to
begin the return to the surface and the cavers reluctantly commenced their
ascent. At one point and to his dismay the young man suddenly
realized that he was no longer with the group, but that he was all alone! Hurriedly
making his way to the top of a great underground mountain of collapsed rock he
began to ponder the situation he had now unexpectedly found himself in. While
turning off his light to conserve the batteries, he tried to listen for the
voices of others but while straining to hear, his eardrums only began to
reverberate with the desire to hear a sound, just a single noise other than his
own quickened breathing. His ears aching with agony, the sounds of
silence became deafening. He was surrounded by darkness, silence and
isolation, the perfect scenario for the enemy of the faith to begin affecting
his mind.
There
he was, sitting in the belly of the longest cave in the world and he was all
alone, pondering if he might have taken a wrong turn and there might not be
anyone ever to come by his way. His faith began to cave in and
overcome by doubts. Realizing that his only
recourse was to lift up a prayer to the Father in Heaven, remembering that Yahshua had
once said that “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt.
28:20b)
And
so the young man began to pray in earnest. He knelt there surrounded
by the darkness and asked that Yahweh would to come to his aid. And
the Elohim heard and swiftly gave the young man an
awareness that he was not at all alone, but that His Ruach was with
him along with an innumerable number of Angelic beings. The spirit
of Yahweh spoke to his mind, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
(Heb. 13:5b) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out
fear…..” (1st John 4:18a)
The
love of Yahweh began to fill the darkness of the cave and there fell a great
peace of assurance overwhelming the young man’s mind. His fears
began to leave and his doubts were overcome by faith! He picked
himself up, turned on his light to extinguish the darkness that was around him
and began walking in the light while praising the great Yahweh and master of
his life. He marched steadfastly with a determination of mind thru
faith that he was going to walk out of that cave and yes……..there wasn’t a much
more pleasing site to see but the light of the sun shining down thru the
Kentucky forest and into the cave and he wouldn’t even think of complaining
about the sweat in his eyes on the hike back to the campground! How
sweet to come out of the darkness & into the light!
How about you dear
friend? Have you or are you being called to come out of darkness and
into the marvelous light of Yahweh’s Word? If so then begin walking
in that light!
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalms 119:105
“But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an kodesh nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light” 1st Peter 2:9
The Old Paths Restoration Ministry
PO Box 247
Marengo, IN 47140