Depression

Early in 2015 I was praising God in the shower. I was singing songs of praise, glorifying God and repeating all of the things that he has done for me. I praised Him for choosing me to follow Him and for giving me a mind to serve Him. I had Joy in my heart and a smile on my face when I finished the shower because, no matter what happened to me I knew that God would be with me and in the large scope of eternity I would be with Him forever eventually.

Before I got into the shower that day for weeks or months prior I did not have a smile on my face nor did I have Joy. In fact I was in a mental place for a while where I felt like I was in a hopeless situation, like everything was falling apart around me and like I just wanted to ball up in a dark corner somewhere, be hidden from the world and cry.

I did not know it at the time but I was depressed and had been for a bit.

I was going through some pretty big financial issues, my marriage was rocky and there were a host of other issues. I also was not placing my trust in God but instead in my finances and myself.

But one day when I went to take a shower I remembered people from church telling me to Praise God even through the hard times, so I decided I would do that.

When I went through the process of praising Him I remembered who He is and that He will take care of me no matter what. I was reminded of the Word of God and my spirits were lifted and I gave all of the burdens to the Lord. The Lord strengthened me and encouraged me in this time of darkness.

Today we are walking through a passage that is lifting up Gods people during a time of hardship where all seems hopeless while they are in it and we will see how God encourages His people.

Today we are continuing the church’s series on stress looking at depression and how believers can be encouraged through it. Now before we go into it I want to make it clear that Christians go through depression and other struggles and hardships of life, the difference is that we have eternal hope. So if you find yourself having those feelings of hopelessness, sorrow, loss and or sadness it does not mean that you are not a follower of Christ. Also if you find yourself battling with these feelings there is nothing wrong with getting help especially from a good Christian therapist.

Lets move to the big Idea.

Big Idea- In this life we experience sorrow, suffering and pain, but when Christ returns believers will experience eternal Joy, peace and restoration.

Take Aways

All creation rejoices at the redemption of mankind.

Gods Word strengthens His people.

Gods road leads to true healing, peace, restoration and Joy.

The passage that we are going through today is one that was written by the Prophet Isaiah, and it was written during a time that Israel was experiencing Gods Judgement for disobedience and trusting other nations rather than God among other offences. This is a very difficult time where Gods people are being defeated by other nations and they would eventually be conquered by the Babylonian empire and deported to Babylon to serve the Babylonians for a time. But even in this time of difficulty God has a message of hope for His people and we see this in Isaiah 35.

Isaiah 35 is referring to the future hope of the reconciliation of God and All of his people when he returns and all is made right. This is a great day for believers.

Isaiah 35:1–2 NKJV

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God.

Here when it is referring to the wilderness and wasteland being glad for them, it is talking about it being glad for Gods people when they are restored. This restoration is bigger then the restoration of the Israelites alone, but it includes the complete restoration of all of Gods people when Christ returns and makes all things right.

Just as Israel was rebelling against God when this passage was written, mankind as a whole rebelled against God when Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. When mankind sinned all of creation was impacted by this sin and all of creation was corrupted by this sin. When Jesus returns all of creation will be restored from this state of corruption when Jesus comes and Judges those who oppose Him and when he reigns and rules over the earth.

In verse 2 it refers to the excellence of Carmel and Sharon, these places were well known for their lush landscapes, this symbolize the beauty and abundance that even the desolate places will be restored to.

Romans 8:18–25 NKJV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

All of creation is awaiting for the coming of Christ to deliver the world from the bondage of corruption. This is the good news and why Jesus was promised to come, why he came, lived a perfect life died and rose again ascending to the father. To reconcile mankind to God.

Just as creation eagerly awaits the coming of the Lord so do we. None of the problems of life can compare to the joy that we will have when all things are made new.

This is what God used to comfort His people as they were going through hardship. Paul also used the Gospel to comfort believers as they were experiencing hardships in the first century. Now today this same truth brings Joy and comfort to believers today.

In this life we have hurts, pains and struggles. Those of us who have placed our faith in Christ can find comfort knowing that He will make all things new when we see the glory of the Lord in Jesus’s return.

Isaiah 35:3–4 NKJV

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”

Here when it says the “weak hands” and “feeble knees” it is talking about those who cannot fully function to do what needs to be done whether it is mentally, physically or spiritually and they are not able to stand strong in these areas at this moment.

Here Gods people are to strengthen one another encouraging one another through the Word of God.

Job 4:4 NKJV

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;

Here we see that when we are weak, we are strengthened by the Word of God and His promises.

Psalm 119:28 NKJV

My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

When we are going through the toughest situations, we are to look to what is to come, the future that God has for us that He lets us know about in His word.

When we see a brother or sister in Christ suffering, going through hardship and weakened we are to come along side them, and to give them comfort and encouragement.

Romans 15:1–6 NKJV

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we care for one another in this way it not only builds up the body of Christ but it Glorifies God.

back to the main text Isaiah 35:5-7

Isaiah 35:5–7 NKJV

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

Here in verse 7 when it is talking about the parched ground becoming a pool, and thirsty land springs of water it is giving us a visual of a mirage in a desert wasteland.

Photo of Mirage

A Mirage is a optical illusion or when something looks like it is there but it is not really there and this happens when it is extremely hot outside and it gives the appearance of there being water where there is none.

Now imagine as a traveler who is traveling for a long time in the desert and is in need of water but they have none but they see a mirage having false hope going towards it but never receiving the water needed and instead dying of dehydration.

This is what this fallen world is like prior to restoration, since the fall there have been lies presented that mislead men and woman pulling them away from the truth of the Gospel and leading them into death and destruction.

The systems of the world are like this desert prior to the restoration, they have promises and lead you in a direction, but they lead you to a place where you will never receive true restoration and living water.

Even in this fallen world Jesus gives us an opportunity to drink true water, living water that allows us to be reconciled to Him and to have eternal life.

When Jesus returns instead of these desserts giving false images of water they will have true pools of water and there will even be springs of water and a lush landscape green with grass and plants.

How many of you have different pains and ailments that you have accumulated in your body over the years?

My big toenails are very damaged from kicking things so much, stubbing my toes ect. So I experience quite a bit of pain if I grow them to a certain length. I’m 40 years old and I am still very strong but I cannot run as fast as I use to.

My hair use to be dark but now my beard is a combination of black and grey.

I use to have waves, but now I know if I grow my hair back it will be thin or even missing in places.

Some of my teeth have been removed and they will never grow back.

As we live in these bodies that are corrupted by sin, we find out more and more that they are temporary.

When Christ returns and we are raised up with our new eternal bodies there will be no blindness, no lack of hearing, the world will be restored and all creation will be redeemed. That means no more pain, no more sickness, death or sorrow.

In this passage when it is talking about all of these things being healed, it is talking about true healing, physical, mental and spiritual true healing will occur in believers and the world will experience true healing and complete restoration and reconciliation with the Lord.

This is what we can and should look forward to especially when we are going through hardships and when we are experiencing thoughts of despair, hopelessness or helplessness.

back to the text

Isaiah 35:8–10 NKJV

A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

This highway is the way to salvation that the Lord has prepared for those who place their faith in Him. The only way on this road is through Christ.

Matthew 7:13–14 NKJV

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Those who God has chosen, who have placed their faith in Him are His and will be preserved and protected on this road to Eternal life.

John 10:27–30 NKJV

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

These are the ones who are on this highway to the Lord, those who are His who he has given eternal life. The Lord will not lose one of His, but He will keep them.

This should bring comfort to anyone who has truly placed their faith in Christ. Knowing that we are secure in our salvation when we place our faith in Him.

There are times when a believer sins, but when a believer sins they are convicted by the Holy Spirit then they run to the father in true repentance turning from that sin and not living a lifestyle of sin.

1 John 2:1–2 NKJV

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Those of us who are followers of Christ through all hardships can have joy when we remember Gods plans for us and our future with Him Forever.

Revelation 21:4 paints another picture for us to look to especially when we are going through tough times and seasons of depression.

Revelation 21:4 NKJV

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

For those of us who have placed our faith in Christ, knowing that these things will happen bring us great Joy even through difficult situations. However for those who have not placed their faith in Christ they do not have this hope.

But the Good news is that Jesus came so that we can be redeemed. If you have not placed your faith in Christ then you can.

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

This means that you are not Just saying with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, but you have true faith in Him meaning that He is placed as the Lord of your life meaning you live your life for Him, to do His will and serve Him.

And you must believe the gospel, that Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died for our sins and rose again.

Take Aways

All creation rejoices at the redemption of mankind.

Gods Word strengthens His people and gives salvation.

Gods road leads to true healing, peace, restoration and Joy.