10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
As I type this I must admit that I have had for the last two weeks my first taste of depression. Not one to dwell on negatives I found my self caught in despair and hopelessness. Asking myself the question 'why is God punishing me' and allow depression to enter into my life?
Firstly what is depression as perceived by a Christian, is it Satanic in origin? Is depression the result of hidden sins in our lives? Is depression the result of a self centred man?
If we look through history we will see that many a great man of God was held captive to depression. Here are a few Elijah,Job, Augustine, John Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Tyndale, Spurgeon,and A. W. Pink just to name a few. These men used by God changed the course of history, yet they suffered at the hands of depression. Was this allowed by God for their punishment? I think not! Was it due to their self centred natures? I think not! We are then left with a Satanic attack, yet the question remains why does God allow such soul destroying attacks on His Servants.
Please hold that thought as we now refer back to our scripture.
For thirty five years I was under the belief that God punishes me for my sins, He chastises me when I do wrong. I believed he withheld blessings because of my failings. Yet as I was listening on my phone the scripture reading, Psalm 103 was been read. Then through the move of the Holy Spirit and through the Grace of God Psalm 103:10 appeared. The sudden realisation that God in His all Forgiving Grace does NOT deal with me on my sins. With my inquities He doesnt reward them with punishments. Our sins past, present and future are taken care of by our ever interceding Lord Jesus Christ.
So now after such revelation why does God allow depressive attacks in our lives, as we have seen its not because of sin, its not because of a self centred nature [all be it we are guilty of such a crime], it is due to a Satanic attack!. So what is its purpose? The purpose I believe is for us to see that without God this is what we would be like. We would be filled with hopelessness, despair and self loathing. We are having a small glimpse of hell. A place where we have no God, no Grace, no Love and no future.
As I have said it is my belief that depression gives us a glimpse of hell, and I maybe wrong. Yet brothers and sisters in Christ this glimpse is just simply a glimpse that brings us to the relisation of how blessed we are that we have Jesus Christ in our lives.
God Bless
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son, with praise and thanks for Your Mercy and Grace. That You have blessed us with forgiveness and You have taken away our sins. We thank you that You bless us without punishment. Lord we thank you that our sins are removed as far as the east to the west and the north to south. That you see us through Your Son Jesus Christ who intercedes for us without ceasing. We thank you Lord Jesus that you have said you will not lose one of us.
For those of us going through depression we look to You and give thanks, that we will not live in a world fill with despair, and hopelessness, but we will be with you filled with joy and faith.
We Love You Lord & Thank You for Your Mercy
Amen
