Depression

 

 

Job 19: 7-12

 

“I cry out: “Violence!” but get no response; I call for help, but there is no justice.  He has blocked my way so that I cannot pass through; He has veiled my paths with darkness.  He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head.  He tears me down on every side so that I am ruined.  He uproots my hope like a tree.   His anger burns against me, and He regards me as one of His enemies. His troops advance together; they construct a ramp against me and camp around my tent.”

 

I’ve never had much depression, not sure I would know it if I did experience it, as I’ve stated often, God has blessed my family not with wealth, no something wealth cannot buy and that is good health.  I have seen the effects of depression on people and often they have lost all hope.  One might say Job is at that point, but worst he believes God is bringing this on him and he is in a very dark place.  He is not hoping that tomorrow will be better, he is looking at death as his next experience.

 

Job 19: 13-20

 

 

“He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me.  My relatives stop coming by, and my close friends have forgotten me.  My house guests^[ and female servants regard me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even if I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife, and my own family^[f] finds me repulsive.   Even young boys scorn me.  When I stand up, they mock me.  All of my best friends despise me,
and those I love have turned against me.  My skin and my flesh cling to my bones;
I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.”

 

One should not be able to read this without feeling some emotions, but stop and recall God’s words to the devil, Have you seen my servant Job, there is none like him in the whole earth, a man of integrity.  Job is not sinless and he never claims to be, but his trust in God and desire to please him was not unnoticed by God or the devil.  Now God has removed His protective hand from Job but will not allow the devil to kill him.  So that old serpent first kills his pride and joy, his children and still Job is faithful, do you recall Satan asking for the right to attack his health, and he has been reduced to a person that has no authority in his own household.  His best friend has abandoned him, and his wife does not want him near her.  He lost so much weight his three friends were not sure it was Job.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice