One of the dynamics of Christian life is the dynamic of overcoming depression. David, the Psalmist King, was familiar with the wear and tear of daily life, as evidenced by his words written in the Psalms. For instance, in Psalm 42:6, “Oh my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore, will I remember thee from the land of Jordon and of the Hermonites, from the hill of Mizar.” Who do you think taught Peter about Lot’s bout with depression? Check it out for yourself in 2 Peter 2:7,8. His (righteous soul) was vexed. I think many would overlook this part of the verse. Here is a good man stretched to the breaking point. Just remember, Jesus was stretched to the breaking point for you and me.
You are sadly mistaken if you think feelings can save you in times like this. Instead of, “My God, why…?”, these are the, “Therefore I will remember Thee,” moments in life. One of my favorite scriptures that I find myself quoting often when I pray is found in Psalm 73:25: “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee. My flesh and my heart fail me, but God is the strength of my life and my glory forever.” Every time I feel the hit of the hammer, I have found that there is an “Abba”, which comes rising up out of me.
Many have felt the hammer from Hezekiah, who said, “Like a twittering swallow or crane, so do I chirp and chatter. I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary and dim with looking upward, Oh Lord, I am oppressed as a debtor being sent to prison.” Isaiah 38:14
The Psalmist lets us in on his faith reasoning when he felt the blow of the hammer. From big mountains (Hermon to Mizar-Zion) to small hills, God is there. When feeling the blow of the hammer, just remember there is no place in heaven or on earth that you can go from His presence. He is there!
I believe in you.
Your loving pastors,
Cleddie and GayNell