April 24, 2006 - II Samuel 19-20 and Luke 18:1-23
Sometimes, it is easy to get depressed and to fell unappreciated. I do not believe the Lord wants us to allow this to keep us from doing His will. We can learn some things from David's life that will help us to overcome depression and feeling unappreciated. I pray that you will let God speak to you as you read this passage.
Chapter 19 tells us that David and his men came back to Jerusalem with no fanfare. David continued to grieve for Absalom until Joab told him that he had to get out with the people. Then, David went back to the city gates to judge the people. This was a turning point for David and for the people. He felt better, and they realized that they needed to bring him back as their king. That is how it works with depression. The one thing that will help you the most, besides your personal relationship with the Lord, is to get out with people. You may not feel like it, but it will show you that God is still blessing and life will be fine. If you stay by yourself, Satan will continually lie to you about how bad things are going to be. Let the Lord help you and listen to your friends, when you are depressed.
Then, in chapter 20 there is another rebellion led by a man named Sheba. Joab takes things into his own hands again, when he kils Amasa. However, he did lead the army to victory, and David's new government was installed. Things were back to normal. Isn't it amazing how God could use Joab, even though he was a cruel murderer? God can do anything to bring about His will. He did not want Joab to do those things, but He could still work all things together for His will to be done. That is how it is for us, too. We must trust God, and we must not let Satan tell us that we are in a hopeless situation. No situation is hopeless with God. It is hopelessness that brings on depression, so don't give in to hopelessness.
Luke 18 is so rich in truths. In a short passage we see that God wants to answer our prayers, so we should be persistent in prayer. We see that God loves humble prayers, and he honors the humble people who pray those prayers. We see that our hearts need to be soft like little children to enter God's kingdom, and if we are rich, it makes it harder for us to put our trust in God, instead of in our riches. All of these truths are so applicable to our daily lives. Let God show you the ones that apply to you today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 21-22 and Luke 18:24-43.
Chapter 19 tells us that David and his men came back to Jerusalem with no fanfare. David continued to grieve for Absalom until Joab told him that he had to get out with the people. Then, David went back to the city gates to judge the people. This was a turning point for David and for the people. He felt better, and they realized that they needed to bring him back as their king. That is how it works with depression. The one thing that will help you the most, besides your personal relationship with the Lord, is to get out with people. You may not feel like it, but it will show you that God is still blessing and life will be fine. If you stay by yourself, Satan will continually lie to you about how bad things are going to be. Let the Lord help you and listen to your friends, when you are depressed.
Then, in chapter 20 there is another rebellion led by a man named Sheba. Joab takes things into his own hands again, when he kils Amasa. However, he did lead the army to victory, and David's new government was installed. Things were back to normal. Isn't it amazing how God could use Joab, even though he was a cruel murderer? God can do anything to bring about His will. He did not want Joab to do those things, but He could still work all things together for His will to be done. That is how it is for us, too. We must trust God, and we must not let Satan tell us that we are in a hopeless situation. No situation is hopeless with God. It is hopelessness that brings on depression, so don't give in to hopelessness.
Luke 18 is so rich in truths. In a short passage we see that God wants to answer our prayers, so we should be persistent in prayer. We see that God loves humble prayers, and he honors the humble people who pray those prayers. We see that our hearts need to be soft like little children to enter God's kingdom, and if we are rich, it makes it harder for us to put our trust in God, instead of in our riches. All of these truths are so applicable to our daily lives. Let God show you the ones that apply to you today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 21-22 and Luke 18:24-43.