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Rust Frets Even Men Of Iron!" Judges 15: 11-20 ... PRO
Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 22, 2004 (message contributor)
“Rust Frets Even Men of Iron!” Judges 15: 11-20 Key verse(s): 18 “Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, ‘You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?’”
Though writing more than a hundred years ago, Charles Spurgeon, the great English theologian, described in a chapter of his book, Lectures to My Students, ...how he admitted to depression in his own life, often before a great success, sometimes after a great success, and usually because of something he couldn’t explain. He called this chapter ‘The Minister’s Fainting Fits.’ Listen to his candid remarks. ‘Fits of depression come over most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. There may be here and there men of iron ... but surely the rust frets even these.’” (Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Quotes and Illustrations, page 159)
Depression is not a new thing. In fact, its been around a very long, long time. It’s an emotion just like laughter and has remained with us in our imperfect state as a constant companion ever since Adam and Eve first glanced back at the flashing swords of the angels that were guarding the entrance to their lost home. New? No, often misunderstood and improperly treated? Likely! Samson, the great hero of Judges, knew well how it feels to be depressed. He had come off a great personal victory and now he was feeling emotionally exhausted and spent. His emotions translated into personal self-focused pity and he complained that God was not taking care of him. He made himself emotionally vulnerable to the temptation that God owned him something. In so doing, he opened the door to depression and greater hurt. Forgetting that God had given him the...
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You See, I Understand What It's Like To Be Hooked ... PRO
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