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Many years ago a brother spoke on the tactics of Satan mentioning that one of the greatest tools in Satan’s armory is “discouragement”, and to that I would add “depression”, which is often a follow-up from discouragement. These are not afflictions unique to any one of us, indeed, as we read the scriptures we discover that many of the choicest servants of God voiced their agony on this malady.

Consider the following persons and ask: “Were they on top of the mountain when they uttered these words or gave vent to these feelings?”
	a)	David said: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?” (Psa. 42:5)
	b)	Elijah sat down under the juniper tree and wanted to die. (1 Kgs. 19:4)
	c)	Job said: “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1)

These are not easy burdens to carry, yet God makes it plain that irrespective of what has us depressed, we can depend on His loving care. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of a man who could have been discouraged was Abraham, having been promised a son, some 13 years had past and still no son. Now he was an old man of 99 years of age (Gen. 17:1). What possibility was there of having a son? Paul gave us some insights into this man informing us that:
	a)	He was confident in the power and character of God. (Rom. 4:17, 21)
	b)	He recognized the natural impossibility. (Rom. 4:19)
	c)	He lived in the assurance of God’s promises. (Rom. 4:17,18, 21)

No matter what is causing the discouragement and depression, the promise from Father is still true:

“My God shall supply all your need”
Phil. 4:19

When ere depression threatens, and there’s no opening door
The storms of life exhausting, and you can weep no more,
A sigh’s your only comfort, and no one seems to care,
Then stop and think of Mary, a heart filled with despair.

She stood beside an open tomb, “Where has His body gone?”
Angelic voice of comfort, they leave her dark, forlorn,
And then she looks behind her, and hears the sweetest tone
He simply calls her “Mary”, and she is not alone.

The Lord had come beside her, but sorrow filled her eye,
But just a word from Jesus, the darkening shadows fly
Ah then dear one, he calls your name, the sun begins to shine,
For I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.

Rowan Jennings
30th June 2011

Promises	Reference
“With the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.”	Psa. 130:7
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”	Lam. 3:22
“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him.”	Dan. 9:9
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.”	Psa. 89:34
“The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.”	Lam. 3:24
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”	Psa. 27:14
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”	Jn. 16:33
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.”	1 Jn. 5:14
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”	Heb. 4:16
“Blessings are upon the head of the just.”	Prov. 10:6
“The desire of the righteous shall be granted.”	Prov. 10:24
“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.”	Prov. 10:28
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”	2 Cor. 12:9
“For when I am weak, then am I strong.”	2 Cor. 12:10
“Though now for a season . . . ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth . . . might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”	1 Pet. 1:6-7
“Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience . . . that ye may be perfect.”	Jam. 1:2-4
“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”	Psa. 86:12
“Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed Him; yea I have made him.”	Isa. 43:7
“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”	Eph. 3:20
“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”	Rom. 8:28
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”	Jn. 10:10

May God grant us good understanding as He, by His Holy Spirit, deigns to guide us into all truth.
John 16:13