It is written in the bible that anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad!

People have an uncanny ability to trip into their own personal oppression, sort of like stepping on a rake while searching for joy! This unfortunate talent invites an all-star cast of sadness, sorrow, and a sprinkle of self-pity—who needs a trio like that following them around, right? It’s time for these guys to pack up and leave so we can find some real happiness!

The Father God makes it known to us all that anxiety, sorrow, and rebuke prostrate a man, but one statement of good new makes the heart light. Below are a few instances that bring this truth to light.

Take Ezra for instance. Here is a story where God delivered he and the people from their enemy, and revival of religion became manifest. It is interesting that the princes come to Ezra. Remember that many of these so-called princes were the chief offenders of the intermarrying disobedience to God’s law. But as the story unfolds the people at large are left standing in awe of God’s view of the situation. A nation that chooses to become entangled with an unrighteous connection breed sin and imperfection. Bless God for He is faithful to bring rebuke and redirection.

When sin is discovered, it must be dealt with Immediately. There was intermarriage with heathen, and abominations being committed before the Living God for which others had been destroyed. This caused anxiety and great sorrow to Ezra. Israel was not to mingle with other nations by marriage. Israelites were to keep themselves a separate people.

Ezra mourned over this great calamity, overwhelmed by the weight of sorrow that pressed upon him. The annals of history say that he tore his garment in a profound expression of grief, plucked out his hair in a visceral reaction to the depths of despair, and sat astonished as he contemplated the enormity of the situation that had unfolded before him. In his solitude, he arose from his heaviness and with a heart full of anguish and hope, he spread his hands out to God saying; “I am ashamed and I blush at our sins that have grown up to heaven. We have sinned, and for our sins have gone into captivity and confusion this very day. There is a small space of grace for our restoration. Even though we are slaves, you do not forsake us. You give us favor in the sight of the Kings of Persia to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem.”

We have forsaken Your commandments and You have punished us less than we deserve. You have delivered! You are righteous and leave us a remnant of escape! We are before You in our trespass and cannot stand before You because of it. Friends, at times like this …find your grit. Decide not to quit. May you not be found going forward, as to the Kingdom of God, unfit.

Sons of God are to separate from sin. In all men this reigns true in genuine confession. When Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping, and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto Him out of Israel a great congregation of men, women, and children. The people wept sore for the righteousness of God had reached all the way down to their inner core.

Take heed that Ezra was plain and sincere in declaring the sins of the people. He was quick to demand proper confession and restitution. After his sermon, the whole congregation understood the urgency and demand placed upon them. It was to the point of separating husbands and wives. Priests, Levites, singers, porters, princes, and rulers had taken strange wives. They were required to put them away. Every individual, including all classes in Israel who returned from captivity, agreed to separate from their foreign wives. They also agreed to separate from children by such women. All glory to God and the power of His right hand, infallible profession, and acumen.

Nehemiah is another find example: who honored the role of both cupbearer to King Artaxerxes and serving as Governor of Jerusalem. This man, Nehemiah, had a heart that in God it only would trust. or Bust. Upon hearing report of the Judah remnant being in great need and reproach, and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its gates were with fire burned brought great anxiety and sadness. It was by God his prayer was answered and with that events turned. The King wanted to know why his cupbearer was so sad that what in the world could be so bad? After four months of prayer and contemplation, Nehemiah told the King that the city of his ancestors was in ruins and made request to go there to rebuild. His request was granted. Straightway letters went out for his safety of travel and timber would be yielded up for construction. Yet Nehemiah was mocked and accused of rebelling against the King Artaxerxes by two whom were against the rebuild. What to do? Nehemiah knew that God would be true and that, in faith, all would be renewed.

Nehemiah yielded to God’s truth with skill. He filled his mind, in kind, and drilled down. He declared that the God of heaven grants his success. God’s servants would rebuild. The plan of destruction set forth by the hordes of hell was rendered futile. They would forever be goaded by their failure. Those saying ‘destruction?’ do tell! …ah, aha, haha …Truth is that all share of claim to success is held in God’s unique, and eternal frame.

David? Another brilliant example. David’s iniquities had taken hold upon him so that he was unable even to look up! He said, they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore, my heart fails me. This type of heart failure does not kill. It brings a type of ill; a disgusting unhealthy condition of both body and mind, et.al; frailties, in kind. We feel the weight and burden of our sin. These troubles lay heavy, breeding anxiety and often a sense of hopelessness. Fear brings paralysis, which cages courage and dams up the way forward questioning other inward territory unexplored.

Ever wonder why, for multitudes, that difficulty comes in calling out to God for deliverance and for divine help? will you sit and consider in summary of your life that there abides a deep sense of distress? Or have you already taken the time to redress? Do you plea, like David, for divine intervention and restoration? Or do thoughts carry you into another dimension and away from God’s Great Commission …

Let’s talk Jeremiah and that dilemma for a minute. There was terrific moral decline of the people of Judah which brought profound sorrow and despair to Jeremiah. The verse reads, when i would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. What type comfort is there to find when one is so distressed and filled with overwhelming grief at impending judgment? Especially the judgment of one’s own people?

What do you do when the spiritual state of one, or a nation is at stake? Are you genuinely concerned, or do you harbor satisfaction at the thought of an adversary facing eternal damnation? What Jeremiah saw was deeply flawed, and only true repentance could pave the way for significant transformation. His relationship with God provided keen insight with sense of sorrow and despair as to the suffering he foresaw.

You see, Judah was past mercy. In other words …Is there no balm in Gilead? There was no remedy for the apostasy so judgment would come without fail. God’s judgment is not meant to run people off the rail but to bring redemption and restoration. He goes on to say , is the no physician? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? indeed. Because of disobedience and lack of repentance. Its continuance.

We see how we get ourselves into a mess, but enough of all that for God wishes to bless! Let’s now address how one statement of good news makes the heart light and lessens the disobedience plight.

Jacob lost the presence of his favored son for many years. Joseph was his name. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery and lied to their father of his disappearance. In God’s love toward this young man and his family, during severe famine, Joseph’s brothers discovered him alive in Egypt. They told their father the good news that he was alive. Joseph was governor over all the land of Egypt! Jacob’s heart was overcome because of this good news and his doubts as to this truth for he had learned by now that he could not know what to expect from his sons. He was finally convinced and went to see Joseph before his death. The wonder of God’s providence is enough to take one’s breath.

Just think of Daniel and King Darius and his decision to lower Daniel into the den of lions! This happened over conspiracy and jealous rivals. O … what a surprise, right. Well, the ole King spent a restless night after realizing the severity of his decision for God had placed a true concern and remorse for Daniel’s fate. At the earliest dawn he rose and went to the den calling out to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions den? To the King’s great surprise he hears, O King, live forever. My God has sent His angel, and has shut the lion’s mouths, they have not hurt me: for as much before him innocence was found in me: and also, before thee, O King, have i done no hurt. By this statement King Darius was made very happy. He swiftly had the men brought before him who had accused Daniel and they themselves were thrown into the den of lion’s and were consumed.

It is good to reply upon and to trust in God for in Him there is no room made for any facade. Keep out of place where the angels of God fear to trod. And for heavens sake do not be known for running roughshod! One more Thing …

Matthew 28, five through eight. An angel of God appeared and spoke to the women who had come to Jesus’ tomb and told her this; Jesus is not here but has risen from the dead. You …reading this; do you know that He died in your stead? He wishes for you to accept His love for you. And you know what else? God wants to live in you. Have you ever considered this view? it’s true! Does this make your heart glad?

Back to the story …the angel instructed the women to go and to tell Jesus’ disciples this good news and to inform them that He would meet them in Galilee as He had previously told them. Did the disciples believe the women? Would you? Well then listen to this too …the women were on their way as instructed and guess Who joins them? Jesus meets them, saying, all hail …and the women held Him by the feet and worshipped Him. He said to them, do not be afraid. Tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall see Me.

Right now all within me says; to God, forever, all the honor and glory be.

This is silverray signing off believing that we can touch each others heart by sharing His love.