Stop. Wait a Minute. Hold on.

Do you have joy?

Are you struggling today with depression, guilt, feelings of defeat or failure, and an otherwise downcast spirit?

If you are in Christ, rest in Him. We look to things we can do to make us feel better. We read books, which can be helpful, to make us feel better. One such recommendation is David Murray’s “The Happy Christian.” David is a great writer and has good things to say because they are grounded in scripture. We try to do things that make us feel better.

I am not suggesting that the Gospel will cure your depression, anxiety, etc. It may well be that you need medication to help regulate your brain chemistry. This is not a failing of the Gospel. The fall affected our bodies and our minds and sin ravages to this day. However, what I do want to assert, is true joy is found in the forgiveness offered only in Jesus Christ.

Did you just mentally say “Yeah, Yeah, I know that” as though there must be something more? Friends we do not graduate past the Gospel, ever. The monumental truth that God, of his own volition, made atonement for your sins in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and offers that gift freely should stagger us. It should comfort us day by day. It should renew our spirits minute by minute that Christ has paid in full the due penalty for your sin and declared His work finished. (John 19:30)

Robert Murray McCheyne famously said: “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.” We are prone to consider ourselves, and introspection and honest self-assessment is good. However, do not dwell there. Look to Christ!

Your single greatest need in life is to be reconciled to God. Once you are reconciled to him through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ your greatest need is to obey, honor, and glorify God. Stop crushing yourself under guilt and shame for sins you’ve confessed. Stop refusing to forgive yourself for what God has forgiven you for. Consider God, who He is, what He’s done. Wait a minute, and dwell on Him. Hold on to Him.

Delight yourself in the glory of God the Father. Marvel and weep with joy over the grace of God the Son. Serve in gladness by the empowerment of God the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 71:17–21

¹⁷  O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

¹⁸  So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.

¹⁹  Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?

²⁰  You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.

²¹  You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.