The Sovereign Lord controls all that each day holds.
I'm going through a rough period and today. I asked the Lord, not to shorten the time against His will, but definitely to speak a specific word, clearly for me and for sure today. (How gracious and kind He is. Do I take His loving, personal responses for granted?) This is what He said to me.
(Nehemiah 8:10) Be not grieved or depressed BECAUSE this day is holy to our Lord. This is the day that He has made with me in mind. The Sovereign Lord controls all that each day holds. Changing and/or long-term wearying circumstances should not be allowed to cloud my joy in my unchanging, eternal riches in Christ.
These hurtful things will pass; everything will pass except the things which truly matter. Sadness and depression bring such bone-numbing weariness. Nothing saps our strength like the clouding of our joy.
From the prayer of Jesus (John 17:13), we learn that if His joy remains in us, then our joy will be full. Because it is His joy, not my improved circumstances and not my fleeting or manufactured happiness, the JOY OF THE LORD is my source of strength. I have His promise (Deuteronomy 33:25) that my strength will be sufficient for what each day holds.
I need to remember to purposefully share in His joy. I need to flex my muscles in the strength of His indwelling joy. I need to deliberately take time to be still and there, on the mountain with God, drink in great gulps of the eternal glories. I need to bask in the awesome privilege of a personal relationship with Almighty God.
As the troubling things begin to take on their right perspective, DEPRESSION and its frequent side-kick, SELF-PITY, are clearly seen as enemies to be vanquished.
This is the day that the Lord has made. With all it holds, He has made this day for my good and He has made me for His pleasure.
I need to remember that this day and every day is holy to the Lord.
With love and prayers,