Dear friend, it’s so good to see you back at the course today. I’m excited to share with you this lesson, for today’s message is the reason you are here at this course. I believe this will really help you as it is helping me.
In recent lessons, we have been studying through the following passage of Scripture:
Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (2) to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, (3) and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
So far, we’ve understood how Jesus came to “bind up the brokenhearted”, and how He came to “proclaim freedom for the captives”.
Today we want to look at how Jesus proclaims release from darkness for the prisoners.
“I have come to proclaim…release from darkness for the prisoners.”
For me, depression meant darkness, pure and simple. It was an absolutely crushing darkness, a darkness that weighed on my soul like a ton of bricks. It was accompanied by despair and intense hopelessness. I felt locked up in its prison, four dark walls closing in on me. I felt entirely abandoned as if the light of the universe had withdrawn from my very soul. As if God Himself were millions of miles away. Depression made me feel numb, so much so that I would just sit and stare blankly by the hour, or lay down and never want to get up. It was debilitating darkness.
Question 1. What has been the worst aspect of depression for you?
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Harris writes, "It has been like intense pressure in my soul that I physically feel its weight. It is like someone is pushing his fist in my chest, causing me to withdraw myself. It is like a huge rock is pressing from my chest to my soul. It takes away every appetite for life and enjoyment."
Tori writes, "The worst has been just that darkness, feeling like I was trying so hard to survive and not thrive. Getting through the days, without no hope for the future. Feeling. so. tired. Feeling like life was pointless. Feeling purposeless. Feeling empty. Feeling like I was constantly grieving myself."
Bill writes: “When I was at the worst of my depression, as a Christian, there was no hope of a future. The thoughts of suicide were present. My thinking was, “If no one cares, why should I?” But, even in that despair and dark moments of considering death, there was “Something” saying there is a better way. Even in the darkness, I was being reminded that God is there, that He cares, that He is offering hope. But knowing that was not enough. It wasn’t until I accepted that “I can’t – But God can,” and had the attitude of “Not my will, but Yours be done,” that I began to have real hope. Real hope, because I was going to put Jesus at the front of my thinking and seek Him.”
We are here to help and we pray that you would make contact and start a conversation with your Setting Captives Free mentor, your pastor, a local biblical counselor, or a trusted member of your church or family if you are feeling overwhelmed in this way.
Dear friend, you are not your own but have been bought with the price of the very body and blood of Jesus Christ on the cross who loves you (Isaiah 44:22). You will find much hope in Christ in the lessons ahead.
Now, let's continue our lesson for today.