The Lord is all we need! Of course, most of us know that and we’ve heard it over and over and over again, but sometimes a scripture just “hits” us and suddenly we find application for it in our lives.
“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8)
When we are down, whether physically or emotionally or even spiritually, the Lord is there to shed light on our path and show us the way out.
Many of us have suffered from deep depression … some more than others. When I read this verse I could almost see us walking through a deep, dark valley at the midnight hour. Sometimes we seem to walk on and on forever and ever, but suddenly a glimmer of light can be seen on the path just ahead, and as we approach it, the light becomes brighter and brighter and soon we find ourselves surrounded by the light and the darkness is totally dispelled as we stand in the LIGHT!
He has called us and is calling us out of that darkness into His marvelous light (read 1 Peter 2:9). God has commanded that His light shine in the darkness to show us the way (read 2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus is the light and we will not always walk in the midst of that dark valley, but He is calling us out, shining a light to show us the way (read John 8:12).
You may not necessarily suffer from depression right now, but perhaps life’s circumstances have brought you to a place where you have to press toward that Light by an act of your conscious will moment by moment, like attempting to row a boat upstream against a strong current. But, you must press on. Be encouraged today knowing that God knows the details of exactly where you are at in your life’s journey and exactly what you are facing.
Depression is a horrible dark pit that seems to engulf you. But there’s a Light to press toward. You can’t afford to take your eyes off that Light, even if it is obscure.
Physical pain and illness can be a deep dark never-ending valley that seems like an eternity to walk through, but there’s a Light to press toward. You can’t afford to take your eyes off that Light!
Family problems, unsaved children, hurting children, abuse, financial problems, and devastating loss of a loved one can all be a midnight darkness through which it is difficult to see, but there’s a Light to press toward. You can’t afford to take your eyes off that Light!
Being acquainted with war, poverty, starvation, earthquakes, tsunamis, and drastic climate/weather patterns … these can all be a midnight hour through which it is difficult to see. But, there is a Light to press toward; you can’t afford to take your eyes off that Light!
Press on, dear friends … press on!
Father, I praise You for Your Word, Your promises, and Your faithfulness to perform that which You have promised. You promised to never stop drawing us closer to You, closer to the Light of Jesus, the Light of Life, the Light of Your Glory! Help us all, Lord, to walk in Your strength as we press on closer toward the fullness of Your Light. You’re there waiting for us, drawing us to You. Help us, Lord, to press on, that You might be glorified, and You alone. Amen!
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved