POWER STUDY - A35

[Albert Finch]

Depression
(Read Psalm 18 & 63)

Genesis 4:6-7 6Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

(For one’s “countenance to fall” is used biblically to describe depression. Depression is the tendency to see things from a dark or gloomy perspective. Some would say that it was the Lord’s rejection of Cain that led to his depression, however if the Lord had accepted Cain’s offering it would have hardened him in his self-righteousness. The Lord had to reject his sacrifice to correct Cain’s perspective in a way that could lead to his salvation. Rejection will either make us bitter or better, which is basically what the Lord said to Cain.)

James 5:19-20 19My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(As the Lord explained to Cain, the way to be delivered from our depression is not by having someone accept us the way we are but by someone loving us enough to correct us so that we can do what is right. The cause of depression is the result of us doing something wrong or by failing to do what we know is right. The way out of the depression is what the Lord told Cain – start doing what is right.)

Matthew 22:36-40 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

(The Lord did not tell Cain to stop doing what is wrong but to simply “do right”. Legalists will focus on getting people to stop what is wrong. The Lord emphasized the positive, doing what is right. Jesus taught us, loving God and our neighbors is the fulfillment of the law. In this way the positive that we do will automatically keep us from doing what is wrong. Example: If we love God we will not worship idols, if we love our neighbors, we will steal from them, envy them, or kill them.)

Revelation 4:1 1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”
Ephesians 1:3; 2:6 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

(I establish the presence of God in my consciousness now by realizing that heavens door is open for me and I am seated with Christ in heavenly places.)

Psalm 138:8; 147:3 8The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 3He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their £wounds.
1 Peter 5:7 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

(I have no cares because I cast them on Jesus.)

Psalm 42:11 11 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

(I overcome depression through continual praise and worship.)

Romans 12:21 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 8:32; 17:17 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 17“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
2 Corinthians 3:17 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

(I overcome evil by affirming God’s word of who I am in Christ. I am free in this truth.)