Title: How to get up when you are down!
Text: Psalms 42
Intro: Do you ever feel like Charlie Brown? You know what I'm talking about,‑when nothing ever goes right. In fact, everything is out of control!
Even your dog tells you what to do!
Charlie Brown goes to kick the football while Lucy is holding it for him ...‑Charlie Brown is down on his back and says, "why do I always fall for the same‑old trick?" Lucy answers, "because you're a loser Charlie Brown!"
Comic cut out of daily paper on Sally and Charlie Brown!
Psalm 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O‑God.
Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and‑appear before God?
Psalm 42:3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say‑unto me, Where is thy God?
Psalm 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had‑gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice‑of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in‑me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his‑countenance.
Psalm 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember‑thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Psalm 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy‑waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Psalm 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in‑the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I‑mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Psalm 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they‑say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted‑within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of‑my countenance, and my God.
PROP: GOD IS ABLE TO LIFT UP THOSE WHO ARE FEELING DOWN!
Inter: How many have ever been depressed or discouraged?
Trans: Someone might say, "but if we are Christians we shouldn't get‑depressed."
Well, lets approach depression from a Biblical perspective to see if Christians‑can get depressed!
I. CAN CHRISTIANS GET DEPRESSED?
A. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GREAT MEN OF GOD HAVE BECOME DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF‑DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
1. Moses in Numbers 11:14-15 explains that "I am not able to carry the load of‑all these people alone, because it's too heavy for me." He then goes on to‑say, "If this is how it's going to be, then just kill me, because I don't want‑to live to see myself fall to pieces [become wretched].
2. Elijah in 1Kings 19:1-4 [FOLLOWING A GREAT SPIRITUAL VICTORY] leaves town‑and goes to a desolate place, lies down under a Juniper tree, and then states,‑"I'm not better than my fathers [HE WAS THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THE PROPHETS‑STONED BEFORE HIM /SOMETIMES WE LOOK AT EVERY "GREAT CHRISTIAN" WHO HAS FAILED‑AND SAY TO OURSELVES "HOW CAN I MAKE IT IF THEY DIDN'T]. After talking to God,‑he falls asleep.
3. Ofcourse, we could also elaborate on many other great men of the Bible who‑suffered from depression such as: David (Psa. 69:2-4), Jeremiah (Jer. 15:10),‑disciples (Luke 24:17), and Jesus (Mat. 26:38).
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even‑unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
4. Being sick is not being sinful, it does not and cannot separate you from‑God!
John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or‑his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but‑that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
5. Martin Luther great reformer suffered from extreme depression. In fact, it‑is said that he would have to paste a scripture to his ceiling just so he could‑have the inspiration to get up in the morning.
6. The Bible is not idealistic in the presentation of its message. It tells‑us all of the gory details about man and what he goes through in his life.
TRANS: WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
II. WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
A. THE WORD DEPRESSION ORIGINALLY REFERRED TO A SUNKEN PLACE SUCH AS IN A‑ROAD, FOR EXAMPLE. TODAY, 9 TIMES OUT OF 10, IT REFERS TO A PERSON WHO IS SUNK‑IN SPIRIT.
DE- DOWN
PRESSED- TO ACT ON W/ STEADY FORCE OR WEIGHT; PUSH, WEIGH DOWN OR SQUEEZE.
TO BE PRESSED DOWN OR SUNK IN SPIRIT IS:
B. CAN BE FURTHER DEFINED AS A STATE OF HOPLESNESS.
In his book Depression ...
C. DISCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE OF THE WAY!
Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to‑compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged‑because of the way.
Numbers 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore‑have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no‑bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit‑the people; and much people of Israel died.
1. The way things are going for you such as: ongoing trials, feeling alone, or‑not being able to reach your goals in life.
2. The way things are going around you such as crime, violence, and war.
3. Refuse to blame God.
D. COULD BE CAUSED IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD! (SPIRITUAL LIFE IS SUFFERING)
1. Jonah illistrates this truth.
Jonah 4:8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a‑vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted,‑and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to‑live.
2. Judas illistrates this truth.
3. The Prodigal Son demonstrates this truth.
4. Eph. 2:12 tells us this is true.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the‑commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no‑hope, and without God in the world:
E. CAN BE A sATANIC ATTACK!
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with‑power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the‑devil; for God was with him.
1. The word oppressed correlates with the word depression to push down by‑force. It comes from three greek words: 1)"Kata" - down [or to press down],‑2)"Dunastes" - a potentate, ruler or person having great power, 3)"Dunamai" -‑having great power.
2. satan uses his power to supernaturally push people down in spirit or to‑depress them.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:‑I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more‑abundantly.
TRANS: sATAN'S JOB MAY BE TO PUSH PEOPLE DOWN, BUT GOD'S TASK IS TO LIFT‑PEOPLE UP FROM THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR AND DEPRESSION!
III. GOD CAN LIFT YOU OUT OF DEPRESSION
A. FOR THOSE WHO ARE PUSHED DOWN IN SPIRIT, BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, GOD CAN‑MAKE A WAY OUT, WHERE THERE IS NO WAY OUT [RED SEA]. EXO. 14:13
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see‑the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians‑whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
1. God is in the business of turning things around.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath‑anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up‑the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the‑prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of‑vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty‑for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of‑heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of‑the LORD, that he might be glorified.
B. JESUS CAN LIFT YOU [ELEVATE] OUT OF DEPRESSION JUST LIKE:
1. He raised up the man that was crippled with palsy.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on‑a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of‑good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to‑forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed,‑and go unto thine house.
Matthew 9:7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
2. Like He brought dead Lazarus from the grave to live again!- John11:33-34
3. Like He lifted Peter out of the water when he began to sink - Mat. 27-31
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning‑to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him,‑and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
I CAN IMAGINE JESUS WAS SAYING, "DON'T YOU KNOW:
- THAT I WAS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU?"
- THAT MY EYE IS ON THE SPARROW!
- HOW I CLOTHE THE LILY / THE GRASS OF THE FIELD.
- THAT I WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU.
- HOW I TOOK ISRAEL THROUGH THE RED SEA!
- HOW I DELIVERED DAVID FROM THE HAND OF THE GIANT.
- HOW I BROUGHT DANIEL OUT OF THE DEN OF LIONS.
- HOW I BROUGH SHADRACK, MESHAC, AND A BIDNEGO OUT OF THE FLAMES.
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that‑formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee‑by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and‑through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the‑fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
- THAT I WAS GOING TO LIFT YOU UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOU!
4. Like He turned the Prodigal Son’s sadness into gladness.
E. JUST LIKE HE HAS LIFTED UP OTHERS FROM THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR, HE WILL LIFT‑YOU UP!
Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,‑and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Psalm 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:‑many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
F. YOU CAN HIDE FROM THE STORM IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the‑secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about‑me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,‑yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
G. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE JESUS CAN BRING YOU OUT OF DEPRESSION AND‑GIVE YOU JOY!
Isaiah 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I‑carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver‑you.
H. DON'T LISTEN TO THE devils LIES ABOUT THE FUTURE, LISTEN TO GOD, BECAUSE‑YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT!
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in‑me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would‑have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and‑receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
CONCL: GOD WILL GIVE YOU HELP EVERY DAY!
Deut 33:25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy‑strength be.
