Deliver me from depression

There are seasons in our life, when circumstances and people get on our nerves
and we get discouraged.

God left us his words in the Bible, so we could see they were people just
like us, who got depressed, angry, bitter, or sometimes wished they were dead.

Moses was considered the meekest man on the earth. God called him
to lead the children of Israel out of slavery when he was 80 years old.

For 40 years they wandered around in the desert because of they
grumbled and complained against God and Moses.

The LORD lead by day with a cloud and at night fire would appear
for heat, light, and protection from their enemies.

God commanded them to make 2 trumpets, to be blown when they would go
to war and they would be saved from their enemies.

When the cloud appeared in the day, Moses would say…
Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered;
and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
And when they rested, he said, Return, O LORD,
unto the many thousands of Israel.
(see Numbers 10:35-36)

On one occasion, the people were gossiping in their tents about
their hardships, and this made God very angry.

He sent fire from heaven and many of the people died.

The people cried out to Moses…and when he prayed,
the fired was extinguished. He called the place Taberah,
because the fire of the LORD burned them.

Instead of being thankful, the people became more embittered and
grumbled about having to eat manna for every meal.

They said…In Egypt we had fish, melons, and good food…
but out here all we have is this manna!

Our soul is dried up!

Moses was understandably depressed and poured out his heart to God…

Why have you laid this burden of all these people upon me?
I am not their father. They are crying, give me meat to eat.

Lord, I am not about to bear this burden alone…it is too heavy for me.
Let me die, so I don’t have to listen to them any more.

God said, gather together 70 men who are elders of the children of Israel.
Bring them here to stand before me. When I come down to talk with you,
I will take the spirit which is upon you and put it in them…and they will
bear the burden of the people with you…so you do not have to carry it alone.

Command the people to sanctify themselves…and tomorrow you shall have meat to eat…
for I have heard their cries.

I will give you meat for a whole month in such abundance that it will
come out of your nose. It will be sickening to you because you
have wept and cried to me for meat.

The LORD said to Moses…Is my hand too short that I cannot save.
See tomorrow whether or not my word will come to pass.

Moses brought the 70 elders together. God came down in a cloud and spoke to them.
He took the spirit from upon Moses and when the spirit rested upon
the elders, they began to prophesy.

There were 2 men named Eldad and Medad who the spirit came
upon them as well. A young man ran and told Moses and Joshua
that they were prophesying. Joshua said to Moses, My lord, forbid
them to prophesy…but Moses said, Why are you envious for my sake?

It would be wonderful if all the Lord’s people were prophets and he would put his spirit upon them.

Suddenly, a strong wind came up and brought a huge flock of quails all
around the camp.

The people greedily gathered the quails to fulfill their lust for meat….

But while the meat was still in their mouths and they were chewing,
the anger of the LORD was against the people and they were struck
with a great plague.

Thousands of people died in the desert…and they called the place Kibrothhattaavah…
which means the graves of lust.

Today, you too may be in a congregation or family surrounded by angry
and whining people. The stress may be so intense and you’ve considered
suicide.

Beloved, Pour out your heart to the LORD and ask him to help you.
He will send people to strengthen and encourage you, just like
he did for Moses.

It must have been horribly depressing for Moses and Joshua to see God’s people
dying for their sins…yet they continued to pray for those who persecuted them.

Each day we see people dying, because they refuse to obey God and be thankful.
God has joined us as a family, to pray for and encourage one another.

We all go through seasons of depression, but it’s important not to
let satan or others provoke us to anger or trick us into taking
drugs or our own life.

There is no pill that can fill the empty hole in your heart.

God loves you precious one. He is merciful and compassionate.
Cry out to him, and he promises to hear and help.

He loved you so much that he sent his only Son Jesus to die for
your sins and those of the whole world. Don’t spend your life
being broken, sick, and disgusted.

Jesus died to set us free from the prisons of anger, hate, self-pity, poverty, sickness,
and disease.

Lay that burden down at the foot of the cross and watch him defend and deliver you.

Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks…even in the midst of adversity.

Write down your thoughts as David did in the Psalms. Stop worrying
and worship your Father and Creator.

Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Our Father in Heaven,

We love and praise you for being our ever present help in times of trouble.

Like Moses, we sometimes get discouraged, afraid, and angry.

Forgive us for grumbling, gossiping, and complaining.

We release our problems into your hands and ask for wisdom and guidance.

Cast out doubt, fear and unbelief and help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep our

eyes focused on You. You fed your children in the wilderness and parted the Red Sea.

You sent your Son to die for our sins and take the punishment we deserve.

Help us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable

in your sight, O LORD, my Strength and Redeemer.

Help us to be loving and forgiving of parents, family, friends, and enemies

who hurt us. May our prayers not be hindered by bitterness or unforgiveness.

Help us to remember that hurting people always hurt others.

Heal our scars and wounded spirits.

Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil…

For You and You alone have the power to overcome anything

or anyone that would try to come against us.

We are strong, the word of God is in us, and You have overcome the wicked one.

Father you have said the fervent effectual prayers of a righteous man

avails much. We are only righteous, through the blood of our Savior

Jesus’ Christ. We humbly come to you and ask for you to hear and

accept our prayers. There are many who are lost and feel alone

under the pressures of life. Dry their tears and chase away the dark

clouds of depression. By Jesus’ stripes we are healed!

You have said in your word that all things, whatever we ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive.
We believe Your words and covenant promises. Father have mercy on all your children.
Cast out the sickness, evil spirits and disease that is tormenting our bodies.
You alone can heal us. Wrap Your loving arms around us and fill us with the
power of Your Holy Spirit. If you will, you can make us whole.

We unite our prayers and offer to You our thanks and praise!
Help us, O LORD, our God: and save us according to Your mercy.
That all may know, that this is Your hand, that You have done it.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy…
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that
fear him. Psalm 103:8,10-11

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ

Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Your sister and servant of the LORD,

Valerie Rousseau