7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. — Psalm 143:7 (KJV)
In a recent series of articles on the Eurosport website, top players and world champions of the amiable game of Snooker talk about battling depression amidst the dark lockdown situation. “When people are going through depression it’s very tough and times like this don’t make it any easier because you’re locked in your house and you have so much time to think about stuff,” says Mark Selby, the former world number one.
Now if there are any good, wholesome sports left, Snooker is surely among them. These players get to make a living out of something that is a passion to them and doesn’t hurt anyone, which is the very definition of following ones calling, or remarkably close.
How about the men of God in the Bible? Were they immune to sadness and depression? “Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous,” pleads David in Psalm 143 to quote the New King James Version. “… Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.”
An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance
I think we should never ask for justice in our lives; we should only ask for mercy. It is easy to pinpoint the fault in others especially when the source makes no attempt to whitewash them. I have heard well-meaning preachers laugh at Elijah in 1 Kings 19, for Elijah was afraid and ran for his life after the messenger delivered him a threat from Jezebel, wife of King Ahab. Would those dear preachers take the threat as lightly if it were issued against them by the leaders of the Baal-worshippers of today, if they realized who they are? I think not. They should give thanks if they are not in that position and not ask for that kind of a test.
Elijah journeyed a day into the wilderness, sat down under a juniper tree and said enough, Lord, please take my life! Then he slept, but in the morning an angel of the Lord told him to arise and eat. He ate and rested and ate again until he was ready, but when he was ready, he just kept on going and obeying the Lord because the Lord told him what to do.
11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. — 1 Kings 19:11-12 (KJV)
Still small voice
I am not going to lie to you. I think the world is in a bad stage and much of the hope that is advertised in the mainstream media is false. In times like these we must remember Paul’s promise in Romans 8:38-39 that there is no such power that will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Please see the verse in completion to find if it does not cover your case.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
It does, doesn’t it! Let’s double check the meaning from the Amplified Bible: “For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I am convinced!
This is a good time for a thank you prayer, I thank you Lord Jesus that you hear me out today. I am not going to worry about anything and if I have sinned Your blood will cover me until I am clean.
God bless you, Dear Reader.
Bible Study 