THERE ARE TWO THINGS I KNOW as sure as I know the sun will rise; God is good and He is faithful.
“And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,” Daniel 9:4
Are you in a difficult season? Do you feel so depressed that you can’t look up? Maybe you’re in a time of rejoicing? Everything is coming up roses? Has there been a sudden calamity? Or maybe you haven’t heard that still, small voice for months on a certain subject? Listen friend, your circumstances do not change who God is, nor do your feelings have anything to do with the matter. His character remains constant. He is good and He is faithful.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
I remember a day when I thought nothing in my life would ever change, I felt stuck and entirely discouraged. The enemy’s weapons are doubt, discouragement, depression, disbelief and disillusionment with God’s purposes.
I have fallen into depression from time to time and dealt with a panic disorder a lot of my adult life. Praise God! I’m free. I have physical pain and great emotional pain. I have had my heart broken by people I poured out my heart and life into. I have been healed and I have had to walk through sufferings and pain for a period of time that was longer than I wanted. I’ve experienced loss and I have felt lost and forgotten. I have been abandoned, rejected, defeated and betrayed. Life is a series of mountains and valleys and I have had to change my mind and my thoughts, sometimes a hundred times a day. Do you want victory in this world?
The victory that Christ won for you on the cross? Then you must have victory over your thought life. Recognize the lie and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. If you cannot recognize the lie of your adversary, you will remain in a broken and beaten down position.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
II Thessalonians 3:3
Cast out all doubt and disbelief about who God is. God does not change. He remains good and He remains faithful. It is the steadfast character and nature of God that we can rely on Him, regardless of how we feel or what we are experiencing. He cannot lie, neither does He believe the lie. He cannot be coerced nor manipulated. You cannot use your emotions against God. He operates according to His wisdom and goodness. God is good and He is faithful.
Don’t be discouraged and rise up and trade in depression for a garment of praise. Put your trust is in Him, not what you want Him to do. Trust Him to act only in accordance with His character and know that the outcome will be for your good. Weeping my endure for the night, but joy is coming! Take heart friend. Do not be disillusioned. This will not last forever, though it may feel that way. God has a good plan. He is not wringing His hands wondering what He will do. He has not forgotten. He knows. He cares. And He will act in accordance with His perfect timing.
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
