Large Place!

2 Sam 22:17-20
17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. 20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. NIV

Claustrophobia is typically thought to have two key symptoms: fear of restriction and fear of suffocation. A typical claustrophobic will fear restriction in at least one, if not several, of the following areas: small rooms, locked rooms, tunnels, cellars, elevators, subway trains, caves, and crowded areas. Additionally, the fear of restriction can cause some claustrophobics to fear trivial matters such as sitting in a barber’s chair or waiting in line at a grocery store simply out of a fear of confinement to a single space. However, claustrophobics are not necessarily afraid of these areas themselves, but, rather, they fear what could happen to them should they become confined to said area. Often, when confined to an area, claustrophobics begin to fear suffocation, believing that there may be a lack of air in the area to which they are confined. Any combination of the above symptoms can lead to severe panic attacks. However, most claustrophobics do everything in their power to avoid these situations. Wikipedia

Have you ever experienced a fear of being closed in? I don't believe that I fit the description given above of a claustrophobic. There have been some times of being in cramped spaces that I was not comfortable or very happy. Some flights have been as long as 15 hours between take off and landing. Trauma during childhood may result in this type of problem later in life. A friend's mother would not go shopping until late a night when there were few people in the supermarket. I too have been uncomfortable in large crowds especially in Japan. Riding a subway so crowded that there are "pushers" on the train platform to get passengers inside the door is not my idea of a pleasant train ride.

There is a similar spiritual circumstance that is sometimes experienced by believers. In Exodus 14 we read the account of the Children of Israel being trapped between the chariots of Pharaoh and the yet unopened Red Sea. The spent the entire night separated from the Egyptian army only by the pillar of fire and cloud. (Exodus 14) This situation may have given rise to the phrase, Between the devil and the deep blue sea. Disobedient Balaam was trapped on the back of his donkey in a very narrow place between the animal and a wall. An angel was waiting to slay this wayward man. God put him in a narrow place to get his attention and to speak to him. (Numbers 22:23-31)

So, we too, as believers get into narrow places. It may be our own doing for following the path we think is best. It may come at times of great distress and trials. Satan would love to fence us in to destroy us or to limit our ministry or range of movement. Then God may allow us to be in narrow places in order to get our attention and to speak to us. Recently it seemed I was in one of those narrow places with few choices or any way to turn or move very far.

I would love to write a blog that gives the answer to this dilemma in a few simple steps. Sorry! All I can tell you is that I cried a lot! I praised God when it was not easy to do. I read His Word and spoke it out loud. I contacted some friends that I have confidence in and asked them to pray for me. Then suddenly something lifted today! Some doors began to open in directions that were not expected. Clouds lifted and the "sonshine" came through again! Praise God!

In my spirit I could see me in a large green field. There was plenty of room to move around. I felt free in my spirit and that it was up to me to run, walk, rest or do whatever came natural. I still remember living on a dairy farm in Ohio. Due to the cold winters the cows were kept locked up in the barns for several months with room only to stand up or lay down to rest. Finally, Spring came. We opened the restraints that bound their necks. The barn doors were opened and the cows rushed outside into the fresh air and pasture with deep green grass. It was amazing to watch large dairy cows running and frolicking outside like young calves.

May God bless you today and place in a large place!

Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"