[The Mayor]

January 25, 2008

The Most Depressing Day

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READ: Exodus 6:1-9

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. —Matthew 14:27

Scientists in the UK have calculated that the most depressing day of the year comes in the third week of January. Winter days are dark and cold, holiday excitement has worn off just as Christmas debts are coming due, and New Year’s resolutions have all been broken. The celebrations, gift-giving, and good intentions that once made us feel happy now press us down and leave us feeling hopeless.

Long ago in Egypt, the Hebrew people had high hopes that Moses would rescue them from slavery. But their hopes were dashed when Moses’ good intentions led to worse conditions for them. Instead of gaining freedom, the people were pressed even harder by slave drivers who demanded that they produce the same amount of bricks with fewer resources.

Moses cried out to the Lord, “Since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all” (Ex. 5:23). As Moses and the Hebrew people were about to learn, God’s rescue plans sometimes don’t kick in until all hope seems to be gone.

If the circumstances of your life seem to be going from bad to worse, sending you into depression and despair, remember that God always hears and answers our cries—but it’s in His time, not ours.

Our strength and hope are in the Lord—
We rest secure in His sure Word;
And though we’re tempted to despair,
We know we’re kept within His care.  —D. De Haan

When you feel hopeless, look to the God of hope.

Bible in One Year:  Exodus 4–6; Proverbs 9:10-18

[luvie]

Good evening, Rus! Hope you’ve had a productive...unsnowy...week. I’ll bet you are ready for spring!

Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God’s Word!

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Mayor...Thanks for the lesson...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good snowy evening, Mayor...hardwood floor doing well?
Thanks for today's sustenance for body and soul.

[spotbust1]

Wow. I needed that. I just bought a house, moved in Christmas Eve and 3 days later the septic system stopped working. Then the stove quit 5 days later. 2 days ago the heat pump stopped working just when the temp were plummeting to the 20’s or teens. Then yesterday, my beloved dog (13 years old) started to go into kidney failure. We are not sure if he will make it.

Having read your post, now I can’t wait to see what God has in store.

Thank you and God bless you.