God is sovereign. His providence is good and perfect. He determines who… what… when… and where. He is the why. As John Newton wrote, “The firmament of Scripture is spangled with promises as the sky is with stars, perceptible to us only in the night of affliction.”
Because of the above, only those who have faith in God… trusting Him with absolute abandon can have peace which surpasses all comprehension in all circumstances. It is by God’s providence, will, and determination that some (Many?) of His children live in caves rather than ride the waves of success. Some of His choice servants are never “successful” in the eyes of the world… including the view of some in the Christian Sub-Culture.
God has willed, determined, and ordained for some choice servants to abide in caves so to speak. Not only will they live austere lives, they will be required to live through hardship without seeing the kind of success with which God chooses to bless others. Scripture records these believers are so special in God’s sight, the world is not worthy of them. Let them all rejoice and be glad, for great is their reward in heaven (Mt 5:11-12)! I encourage the reader strongly to pray for ministers… all ministers… but especially those who God has determined are to have a “Cave Dwelling Ministry.” Consider the Scripture…
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:35-40)
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Phil 1:29)
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31)
In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. (Eph 1:11-12)