Thoughts on Christ and His Word

Depression can hit any of us. When the circumstances of our life overwhelm us depression can easily set in. Some people have a personality that tends towards depression. They can get depressed more easily like the Prophet Jeremiah who cursed the day he was born and cursed the man who brought the good news to his father, that he had a son (Jer. 20:14-18). Jeremiah wished that he had died as an infant. He was a godly man and a prophet of God and yet he suffered with bouts of depression. So it's okay if we suffer from depression at times also.

Jeremiah 3 reveals Gods great mercy. God's Mercy is so great that even after he had kicked the Northern Kingdom of Israel out of its land by the hand of the Assyrians he beckons them back. Even though they had played the harlot with many lovers (idols) (v. 3), God says "return to me." in verse 12 God declares himself to be a merciful God and that his anger would not remain forever even though he had given Israel a certificate of divorce. And in verse 22 God says "return you backsliding children and I will heal your backslidings." God is always ready to forgive and embrace us when we are ready to confess and forsake our sin. He is a merciful God.

We can't blame God for our spiritual condition. Our sins and our turning away from him are our own doing and not caused by God. Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God when he led you in the way?... Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty... I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine? Jeremiah 2:17‭, ‬19‭‭, ‬21 NIV God is the one who is leading us towards himself. He is the one who draws us and gives us the tools necessary to live for him. It is our own doing that we turn away from him into Wicked evil people.