AN UNPREACHED SERMON (188)
The Edinburgh Convention comes to an end tonight, and what a week it has been; extremely busy but richly rewarding. As well as the morning teaching sessions and evening preaching, the singing has been inspirational. At the last count there were 2000 people tuning in online, so the impact has gone far and wide. The seminars have provided an amazing insight into the breadth of Christian work going on all over the world. [For audio recordings follow this link https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9594de3a5d919642JmltdHM9MTcyMDU2OTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0xN2RlNzRjYi04MjY3LTZlM2ItMzM3ZS02NDkzODNkYzZmOTQmaW5zaWQ9NTIzMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=17de74cb-8267-6e3b-337e-649383dc6f94&psq=faith+mission+edinburgh&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9mYWl0aG1pc3Npb24ub3JnL2VkaW5idXJnaC8&ntb=1]
One of the seminars was on depression from which I learned such a lot, especially in finding out my past mistakes in trying to deal with people suffering from this terrible condition. The speaker was personal, biblical and practical.
Since I knew the Wednesday teaching was going to be on the prophet Elijah’s routing of the false prophet of Baal, a highlight of his ministry (1 Kings 18), my mind kept racing ahead to the very next chapter where Elijah lapsed into deep depression as he ran away from Queen Jezebel who was out to get him (1 Kings 19:1-12). It is a case history from the 9th cent BC. If I ever get round to preaching on the incident these are the points I will emphasise.
Elijah’s recent success in bringing down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel with such a glorious manifestation of God’s glory, were all forgotten by him. A cloud of deep depression settled on his soul.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE?
He was gripped with irrational fears (19:3)
He wanted to be by himself, even though this was when he most needed human support. It was a self-imposed isolation (19:3)
Self-pity just oozed out of him (19:4)
HOW HAD HE REACHED SUCH A LOW EBB?
He was physically exhausted, having just run the 30 miles from Carmel to Jezreel. And then another 100 miles through rough terrain to get to Beersheba.
Following the great victory of Mount Carmel he had gone without sleep or food.
He was under severe mental strain. In the three years of increasing responsibility, he had overdone things. The expenditure of nervous energy on Mount Carmel had drained his mental resources. Constant conflict with Queen Jezebel had not been easy and taken its toll.
HOW DID GOD HELP HIM IN IT AND THROUGH IT?
The Lord dealt first with his physical needs. What he needed at this juncture was food and drink, rest and sleep, peace and quiet. Nothing spectacular but all so necessary.
The Lord addressed his mental needs by asking him the same probing question twice over (19:9, 13). Sometimes just the right question is enough to bring the psychological problem into focus. For the first time in ages, Elijah was brought face to face with himself. There was nowhere else to run. Escapism had gone on for too long.
The Lord ministered to his spiritual needs (19:11, 12). He was granted a fresh vision of God’s power and glory, but this time it was so different from what he had experienced on Mount Carmel.
WHAT DOES ALL THIS SAY TO US?
Depression is not a new thing in the modern age. It can’t just be put down to “the pace of modern living” or “environmental pressures”. Christians recognise that depression, anxiety of this depth and tension are directly related to us being fallen creatures. It has to do with our fallen human nature.
Don’t shun or despise medical assistance. No psychiatrist or psychologist has all the answers, but they do have expertise. Medical knowledge must never be disregarded, but neither must God be left out of finding the way through. He deals with us as whole people, loved by Him as Father, redeemed by Him as Son, and empowered by Him as Holy Spirit. God is in the business of bring body, soul and spirit into harmony (1 Thess 5:23, 24).
Even preachers and believers have their problems. None of us are immune. Elijah was not the first, nor will he be the last. Dependence on God is vitally necessary. “Cast all your care on to Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God knows our frame and never forgets we are dust. No failure need be final.
PRAYING FOR AND WITH THE DEPRESSED.
Lord, thank You for coming into this world to shoulder all its strains, stresses and sins, because this gives us boldness to ask You to be with those finding themselves in the pit of destructive depression.
When things seem black and hopeless, stretch out You hand to hold them firm. Let Your light shine into their darkness and don’t let them lose heart.
Enable them to trust You even though Your way seems hidden from their sight.
Give them courage and peace, and help us to be Your instruments of healing.
Amen.
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