​“As the deer pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)

Have you ever gone through a time of depression, discouragement or even despair? Well, you are in good company because some of God’s greatest heroes battled depression.

The Bible records that Moses, Elijah and even Jonah suffered through times of discouragement.  In fact, there were some times where they were so downcast that they desired for their lives to end...BUT they did not take matters into their own hands.   Instead, they turned to GOD.

The one who wrote our verse for today mentioned above from Psalm 42 was battling depression. You think you are having a bad day, well, the author of this psalm was exiled from his home, oppressed by cruel enemies and he cried out to God for help.  Remember these psalms were typically sung.  Literally, the book of Psalms was the "hymn book" of the day.  This is a psalm of instruction and teaching.

If you are going through a time of deep depression, tell it to Jesus and ask Him for His presence to be with you. Remember no matter how desperate your situation may seem, God will be there for you!  If you are going through a trial or temptation ask God to deliver you and ask Him to restore you. Put your hope in God and praise Him for He is your Savior and your God.    Remember this whenever you go through problems in life.   (Note:  I said "whenever" because we all go through problems, trials, temptations, discouragement and despair!)

My question today is that when you go through those tough times and challenges in life, do you have an intense longing for GOD?

I can guess that many times those prayers are filled with what we need from God rather than for God’s presence.  There is nothing wrong with asking God for what we need, but we must realize that the greatest need of our lives is for God Himself, His holy presence.  Sometimes we need to look at things from God’s perspective. Let me put this question looking at it from God’s perspective.

How would you feel if your child only talked to you when he wanted something? How would you feel if he never climbed into your lap, or if he never begged you to play with him, or ever put his arms around you and hugged and kissed you?  Well, the heart of God must break when we His dear children, desire only what He can give us.  Surely He grieves when we do not long for Him and for His assuring presence!

God gave animals instincts that He didn’t give to human beings, but He gave human beings spiritual insight and revelation that He didn’t give to animals. The greatest reward for longing for God and seeking Him is in finding Him.  But we must seek Him with all our hearts. It is just like the deer who intensely longs for water that is how our soul must go after you, O Lord.  Augustine, a church father, said our hearts are restless until they rest in God. You’re made in the image of God.  You are made to know Him and to rest in Him.  How about you take some time today and read God’s word and meet with Him in prayer.

What is the basic message of Psalm 42?  While the psalmist speaks openly with God about his feelings, however, he also declares his determination to put all of his hope in God. He fully believes that while things are not great at the moment, because God is great, restoration is always right around the corner, even if it doesn't always fit our timelines or time table.

​Put your HOPE IN GOD today!

Do you know that the Bible is one third prophecy?  Today, I want to remind you that Bible prophecy is not put in the Bible to frighten or scare us, but to prepare us.  It is also in the Bible to motivate us Christians to stay on our toes spiritually.  Why?  It keeps in the forefront of our minds that Jesus could come back at any moment as the Bible says “in the blink of an eye.”  It can motivate us Christians to live a godly life according to God’s Word-the Bible.  Unfortunately, Bible prophecy has been avoided by many pastors or many of the Pastors have played down the topic basically because they do not understand God’s words to His people.
 
Bible prophecy and the Greek word for prophecy represents two ideas.  One is forth-telling or speaking for God and the second is foretelling or predicting future events.  Both  aspects of the word are found in the New Testament.  The beginning of prophetic activity in early Christianity according to Acts coincided with the out pouring  of the Holy Spirit upon the earliest Christians on the day of Pentecost (Acts2:1-21)  Peter’s sermon  on the day of Pentecost indicates that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfilled Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:4, 17-21, Joel 2:28-32)
 
According to Paul the main purpose for prophecy is to build up the church.  Paul also described the subject of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues speaking and prophecy.  If you read through the Bible you will get the picture that God has a divine purpose for the age in which we live and this purpose relates both to Israel and to the church-not the church building.
 
The Jews in Israel had wanted a relationship with God but they wanted a relationship with works.  So, they basically rejected the Messiah because they had a preconceived idea about who Jesus was and how He should come and what He was to do.

But because Jesus did not fit their preconceived ideas about their Messiah-they rejected Him.  Yes, Christ was crucified and since that time Gentiles who placed their faith in Jesus became members of God’s church.  This was also open to believing Jews for they also became members of God’s church.
 
The good news is that Israel’s hardening of their hearts and turning away from Christ in only temporary.  The Bible tells us that at the end of the tribulation  period, Israel will finally recognize their Messiah and turn to Him for rescue from the invading forces of the Antichrist (Zechariah  12:10)
 
According to the Bible we are living in the Church Age which is made up of born-again believers who make up the body of Christ.  We, all those who believe that Jesus died for their sins, are the body of Christ.  We are not a building but a body.
 
Bible prophecy is simply God’s plan revealed ahead of time.  Like a movie trailer, it is a sneak preview or peek of things to come.  It is not a fiction movie, prophecy tells us what is actually going to happen.  Sometimes we hear that prophecy is history written in advance.  Prophecy is a big deal because God does not want His children to be uninformed regarding the end times  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5).
 
Let’s face it,  prophecy is important because of the times we are living in today. 

At no time since Jesus walked on the earth is end-times prophecy more likely to be fulfilled than it is right now.  All the signs are pointing to the truth that we are living in the last days.  But,  I do not know if this will happen in ten minutes or ten years from now, only God knows.
 
You see you can block your ears, close your eyes, yell and scream but we were hit with a devastating plague (Covid-19), our economy was hit with joblessness and businesses were unable to stay afloat.  Other businesses were physically destroyed by rioters.  We have an economy based on  indebtedness and we have high healthcare costs.  Then there is all the critical race theory  junk being pumped into our schools along with gender identities being questioned.  Then we have the really high gas prices so no one can really get around.  Then you have all the abortions even being done after a baby is born up to a month after birth.  People are going into depressions and paranoia.  Why are we so surprised to see kids killing kids?  Why are we so surprised at the people who are committing suicide?
 
Now can you see the need for prophecy? Prophecy really matters because it gives us clarity, confidence, faith, hope and love for Jesus. Christ, our Messiah, our savior and soon coming King. Prophecy leads straight to Jesus and gives us the peace to know that He has everything under control.  Well, what are you saying are you one of the naysayers saying:  “What difference does prophecy make?  remember, that is your choice.   Or will you be the one who says: we humble ourselves, pray, fast and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways (including our complacency) and live lives that emulate Jesus Christ and stand up for His values
 
The Bible tells us that the stage is being set and it amazes me to see that things are not falling apart, according to the Bible, they are all falling into place!   Are you ready for HIS RETURN?