May 6

We turn to some wonderful and honest Psalms. I love David – he says it like it is! Whether it is his own sin and foolishness or it is the oppression of his enemies, or it is depression, he cries out for his Rock, his Hiding place, his Hope – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For me, it is too easy to get depressed or reap the reward of my sin and just sink away. Admittedly it is harder now that I am a pastor. If I stay away from Him who can heal and deliver me, then I can’t operate in my role and gift. Maybe I am on to something here. If you are NOT connected with any ministry where people rely on you then you can enter depression and circle the drain with ease. (I speak to those who tend to circle the drain instead of charge forward). The revelation that I just received as I wrote the above is that we need to be involved with the spiritual life of others to the point of them depending on us for leadership, encouragement, wisdom from God or generally a little help. Lest you think that is reserved for the “professionals”, you are called to “disciple” people – it was the Lord’s command right before He left this earth. Hmmm… it is much harder to stay depressed when you meet with someone regularly who is looking up to you as a leader of sorts. That is something to think about.

Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

I want to be a man who God confides in! I delight in the understanding of things – the knowledge of the Kingdom! So I must fear Him. The fear of the Lord is a weighty subject but let me break it down into a clear concept. Fearing God means that you believe that what He says will come true. When He speaks – it will happen. As an example, that means when he says that judgment will come upon those who judge others– he means it. (Matt. 7) There many things in the Word and things that God speaks to our hearts and through others as well. When you fear the Lord, you believe it! You believe it so much you act on it.