Rising Out of and Above Depression - Day 173 Through the Bible

Reflections and Fly Fishing on the South Toe River Yesterday -  near Mt. Celo Church

My Gleanings from Today's Readings

Ramifications of Unfaithfulness in the Old Testament - 1 Chronicles 9 and 10 - We have seen this over and over - from Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden for disobedience, to the 40-year wanderings of the Jews of the Exodus because of idolatry.  1Chronicles looks back in these first chapters at the history of God's chosen people, and it is a history replete with both personal and national unfaithfulness in spite of God's love and blessings.  God has already allowed the division of the Chosen Nation; Israel has been taken captive and now "Judah (is) carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness."  Looking further back in history, the Chronicles remind us that the people had already shown their lack of trust in God by demanding a king.  Samuel warned them of the difficulties this would bring on them, but they refused to listen.  In one of the more revelatory and heartbreaking statements of God's love for  His people, He tells Samuel to anoint Saul because "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me as king."  Israel now has a king "like all the other nations", but "Saul dies for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because...he did not keep the word of the LORD...he consulted a medium for guidance...he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse."

My Lessons and Applications: What about my own history with God?  Is it one of faithfulness, regardless of the circumstances?  Am I demonstrating my faith and trust in God rather than in His blessings?  How will my life story be chronicled when I stand before the Bema Seat of Christ?  How does my walk with Christ witness to other believers and to unbelievers?  Is God glorified and honored through my life?

Rising Out of and Above Depression - Psalm 77:1-15 - "When, because of troubles and anguish I am...unable to sleep...cannot speak...feel God's mercy has ceased forever...that I have been cast off...that His promises have failed...that He is no longer gracious to me and has shut up His tender mercies...what can I do?  I call to remembrance my song in the night...I meditate within my heart...my spirit makes diligent search...I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High...I will remember the works of the LORD...surely I will remember Your wonders of old...I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds...Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary...Who is so great a God as our God?...You are the God who does wonders...You have declared Your strength among the peoples...You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah.

My Lessons, Applications, Contemplations:  Note that the Psalmist changes in the midst of the remembrance of God's history with the people.  He starts out speaking of God in the third person - "He"; then through meditation and praise, he goes directly to the throne of God speaking to Him directly with "You" and "Yours"and "our". "But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Charles Stanley says remembrance and praise draw us into God's presence and suggests the following: 1) Turn your thoughts to the faithfulness of God...2) In prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God (Pray out your anxieties)...3) Meditate on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of any virtue, praiseworthy (Phil. 4:6-8)...4) Recall God's goodness to you with praise and gratefulness...5) Fix, focus your thoughts on God's glorious character and nature - His omnipotence and omniscience. 6) Counter negative thoughts with God's wonderful, never-changing attributes...6) Make a list of God's blessings in your life...7) Share your testimony...8) Read a psalm each day...8) Imagine how God can use this negative circumstance for His glory...9) Remember the overriding purpose of your life is to glorify Him - in the way He chooses...(10) Choose to praise Him in ALL circumstances.  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee."

Lives Sacrificed for God's Kingdom Work - Acts 6: 1-15 - There are those claiming that they have been neglected by the 12 disciples in the daily distributions.  The 12 disciples determine that "it is not not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables". so the multitude of disciples are called together.  Men are chosen who...are of good reputation...full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom...and are appointed over this business of serving tables while the 12 disciples commit to "give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Stephen, "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit," is one chosen for this new ministry.  He is "full of faith and power...does great wonders and signs among the people." As with Jesus, others rise up against him, unable to refute his works, falsely accuse him of blasphemy, secretly induce men to testify against him, stir up the people against him, seize him and bring him to the council.  Like Jesus, Stephen will not refute the charges, and like Jesus he will be killed by the religious people of the day.

My Lessons and Applications: As believers we are a "living sacrifice to God." This sacrifice of Stephen  in fulfilling God's mission for him is delineated for each of us in Romans 12.  Am I willing and able to be bold for Christ, to fulfill the Great Commission he has given to me?  If this means that I must stand against the world, the "religious" rulers, will I be ready - armed with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?  Will I be able to "not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good?