Bible Reading: Psalm 77: 1-20
“And I said. This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy works and talk of thy doings” – Psalm 77:10-12(KJV).
There are times when the going gets very tough that one feels like throwing in the towel. It was like the experience of Elijah (1Kings 19:1-18) and John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-23). At such a time, doubt enters your heart about those things you had once held strongly to. It is a period when you are tempted to question your belief and confidence in God. It is a time when it seems that God is not answering your prayer, and you begin to doubt God and His word. The Psalmist was in such state when he asked: “Will the Lord cast off forever? And will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?” Psalm 77: 7-9(KJV). The Psalmist proffered a way out from such depressive doubts as follows:
- Recall the manifestation of God’s power in your life.
- Recall the wonderful works of God in time past
- Regularly meditate on all the deeds of the LORD and witness same to people around you.
When we praise and demonstrate an act of gratefulness to God for his mighty works in our life and come to Him with thanksgiving, He is moved to eliminate the cloudy days from our life. Doubts and depression are very potent weapons of the enemy to take away our joy. When we resort to praising him for His mighty works in our life and joyfully thank Him, He makes us recipients of his divine favour. The scriptures says “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” – Isaiah 12:3(KJV). It means that joy is the bucket by which we draw out divine favour that will enhance our life. Water connotes life. Joy is the antidote of depression and doubt. When we are joyful we are grateful.
Prayer: Father, give me the grace to live a joyful life even in the face of hard times.
Rev. Julius Oluwole