I give you thanks, O LORD

I wrote the other day that I’ve been battling depression for the last few days. When a person is Bipolar they have both times of up, or mania, and days of down times, or depression. Unfortunately, I’m still battling the latter. When I have this depression to battle I am so thankful that I don’t have to battle this depression on my own.

All I have to do is look back to the Old Testament to the Book of Psalms. Much of Psalms was written by King David who was at one time the king of Israel. In the latter part of his life he was the most powerful man on earth. But things were not always this way for David.

We read and find that after David slue the giant Goliath while he was still a lad he was all of a sudden thrust into the role of a great warrior. In fact David became such a great warrior that the people of Israel sang praises unto David. Saul who was the king of Israel when David was this great warrior found no humor in this. In fact Saul became so jealous of David that he sent his whole army after him, out into the desert to kill him. How’s that for thanks for saving a whole nation from invading armies!

Much of Psalms was written by David while he was running and hiding in the desert. David too had a problem with what had happened to him. At times David was depressed that he could hardly even function. It was at these times that David cried out to God. David cried to God to deliver him from his enemies. David cried to God to give him strength to carry on.

There was one thing that David never did though. David never did give up on God. David knew that God was there for him even when David was at his lowest, when David had sunk deep in to depression. As you read through the book of Psalms you will see that even as David cried out, David always ended his cries and pleas with a thanks to God for David always knew that God was there for him.

Knowing that God is always there for you and that God will never, ever leave you is a strong stimulant. I know that as I have God living in me through his Son Jesus I know that God will never leave me or abandon me either. Even on days like this when I have to really fight to keep going due to my depression I can always find strength in my Lord & Savior Jesus.

Psalms 138 really jumped out at me today. I was planning on writing today about Thanksgiving and why we should give thanks. I did a word search on the phrase “Give Thanks.” I came up with a bunch of matches but Psalms 138 really jumped out at me. Psalms 138 reminds me I give thanks every day for Jesus living in me. Psalms 138 really is what I feel and believe.

Psalm 138

A psalm of David.

1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.

2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

3 When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.

4 Every king in all the earth will give you thanks, O LORD, for all of them will hear your words.

5 Yes, they will sing about the LORD's ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great.

6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me.

8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life-- for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

I hope you’re having a great “Turkey Day!”

Be Blessed!

BIG SCOTT