Open Heavens 19 August 2016: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Cumbered with Depression?

Topic: Cumbered with Depression? [Friday 19, August 2016]
Memorise: But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. – 1 Kings 19:4
Read: 1 Kings 19:1-8 (KJV)
 1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
 7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 37:14-40:8, Psalms 37:21-33
MESSAGE:
 Depression is a deep sense of despondency, discouragement and sadness that is often linked with a sense of personal helplessness, a loss of meaning in life and enthusiasm for living. Some common symptoms of depression include self-condemnation, deep sorrow, a loathing of life and a desire to end it. Bible records show evidence of depression in the behaviour of some personalities such as Elijah. King Saul, King David, Jonah, Hagar, Judas Iscariot, etc. Today’s memory verse says,
“But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” - 1 Kings 19:4
 The devil is very bad. It is absolutely impossible to believe that the person credited with the above statement was the same Elijah, who just a few hours before stood against 400 prophets of Baal, and with the help of God, destroyed them all. Before the dust of the celebrations could settle, the devil had succeeded in driving fear and discouragement into him. He suddenly lost confidence in the God that performed such as marvellous miracle that shook the entire country. Depression got hold of him at such a fast rate that within hours of celebrating victory, his mood had swung to the extreme of requesting to die. Some of the prevailing conditions that could lead to depression so quickly include, serious sin, loss of sense of God’s presence, fear of failure, oppression, threats, fear of judgment, loneliness and deep sorrow. I decree in the Name that is above all other names; the Lord is bringing you out of depression today. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Just hold on to the Word of God in Philippians 4:6-7 that says;
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Prayer Point: Father, please completely destroy the power of depression in my life in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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