Incredible Joy Cometh!

Incredible Joy Cometh

I'm wondering why there seems to be such a high level of despondency in the church today. Has it always been like this or am I only just becoming aware of it? Is it the realisation of my own despair that brings me recognition of such a debilitating spirit, or could it be the nudging of God's Spirit giving me unction to expose this traitor that's feeling so at home in our midst?

All I've heard in recent times are sighs of disappointment and cries of pain. Everywhere I turn someone seems to be battling confusion, betrayal and hurt.  I am not an exception, much as I'd love to be, sometimes I do not know where the strength comes from to believe God for just one more day....I hear midnight cries that grip my spirit in such sadness, I wake up in tears wondering if I cried out from my own pain or someone else's. And so I wonder at the times and seasons in which we live.

Where did this despair come from? Who let it into my home, my heart? How did it manage to permeate my life and clothe me in lethargy so strong that I find myself unable, unwilling even to do anything about the havoc it's wreaking in my life? How did I get to this point where I have lost hope, it seems like my dreams are gone... When did this happen?

What exactly is despair?

The dictionary defines despair as the loss of hope, hopelessness. The spirit that causes us to lose hope is the spirit of despair; the spirit that tells us not to bother any more, it encourages us to give up. It starts by saying 'God is great, yes God can do it, but will He do it for you?' It cunningly graduates to the point where it says 'don't bother anymore - answer to prayer? No, not going to happen!’

We hear that continually...

While we wait and wait for God to come through…

And as wait and wait, we gradually lose hope....

Until the misery of lost hope leads to despondency and progresses to depression and then to the point where immobility sets in; spiritually, physically and mentally!

Should we just allow it destroy us as we wallow in misery each day? Shouldn't we fight back if only with the last breath we have?

 

What exactly can we do?

First of all, recognise it for what it is. It is not an emotion or just a feeling like we've been told many times before. It is a destructive, oppressive spirit from hell sent to derail our destiny. If we continue to see it as mood swings, then we are no different from an unarmed soldier thrust into the battle field, unequipped and unprepared for war!

Secondly understand that it is either you or it. If you let it be, then it takes you down! Fight!! Equip yourselves for war, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God! Many people oppressed by this spirit can barely fight, the lethargy that accompanies it, often clings like second skin. But hear me, if you can cry - then cry out for help. Some battles are not meant to be fought alone.

Growing up I engaged in enough street fights and took quite a few beatings to understand that when faced with some tough strong opponents, the best strategy would be to run home and come back with reinforcements. I had enough brothers and sisters to build a mini army and fully took advantage of that. So child of God, run home - get help! David faced many times of despair and cried 'why are you cast down O my soul, why disquieted within me?' Don't keep quiet, don't hide and nurse fear or pain. Cry out! Your father has enough children to build a mega army and we need to band together and fight!

And finally, count your blessings! The devil is such a liar!! Look around you and see the things God has done. How He has redeemed your life from the pit and how He has cleansed you and healed all your diseases. Count them all, name them one by one. What then is left in your life for God to do that He will not do? Last I checked He is still God, He hasn't resigned, retired or fallen asleep. He will come through for you.

Listen: incredible joy cometh! And I know this because the break of dawn is right by the darkest night and dawn brings singing and dancing with it! So do not stop short now, rouse yourself and defend the hope that Christ has deposited in you. Don't you know that Christ in you is the hope of glory?! We have hope that the latter shall surely be greater than the former because Christ is in us. That hope must never die! The bible says that we are born into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. Our hope in God is as alive as we believe that Jesus lives!

Get up! Hope in God for I shall yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God. Morning is right around the corner, incredible joy cometh!

ID, May 2012.