“How does the Bible deal with depression?” “What is the Trinity doing today for the believer?”

QUESTION: How does the Bible deal with depression?

ANSWER: The Bible does not use the word “depression” as we do, but it does give a classic example of what we often term depression in the story of Elijah.

In 1 Kings 17-18 we see Elijah obedient to God and going from victory to victory during a period of 3.5 years. James 5:17-18 shows us that this time of victory began and ended with prayer. Other prophets of God were being killed by wicked Queen Jezebel during this time. Yet God kept him safe though, according to 1 Kings 18:10-13, he was the object of a “worldwide” manhunt. It is not difficult to imagine what pressure he must have been under.

God preserved His faithful servant not only in the hiding places He directed him to, but also when he openly challenged the prophets of the heathen deities Baal and Asherah. Elijah was publicly vindicated as God’s servant, the people acclaimed the Lord to be God, the false prophets were executed and God sent much rain in answer to Elijah’s prayer. Topping off this most eventful day, Elijah ran about 15 miles ahead of King Ahab’s chariot to the entrance of Jezreel.

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to threaten his life “tomorrow about this time” (1 Ki. 19:2). Had she been able to make good her threat, why give him a day’s warning? All this proved too much for Elijah. He ran for his life across most of Israel, across Judah, past Beersheba and into the wilderness! Finally, exhausted, he lay down under a tree, prayed that he might die, and slept.

God graciously dealt with His weary servant. Suddenly he felt an angel touching him and saying, “Arise and eat” (19:7). There by his head was a cake baked on coals and a jar of water. Twice the angel woke him and urged him to eat. Strengthened, he went on for 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God, where he spent the night in a cave. Then the Lord asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Answering, he told God how unfaithful Israel had been and how zealous he had been, till now he was the only one left, and they were seeking to take his life. In effect, he was tendering his resignation. Obviously he wanted God to commend him and to deal with the guilty people.

But God did not act this way at all. He gave Elijah evidence of His power, but spoke in “a still, small voice” (19:12). Again He asked Elijah what he was doing there, and Elijah repeated his accusation. God comments on this in Romans 11:2-4, speaking of Elijah as pleading with God against Israel. What a position for a prophet to get himself into – pleading against God’s people! How different from Moses who, while recognizing the gravity of Israel’s sin in worshiping a golden calf, pled with God to forgive them even if it meant blotting him out of God’s book (Ex. 32:30-32).

God accepted Elijah’s resignation, told him to anoint the instruments He would use to execute judgment on His people and to anoint his successor, Elisha. Yet in His mercy God did not dismiss Elijah from service because of his depression and sad outburst against God’s failing people. He gave him the refreshing help and fellowship in service he so badly needed. God also answered Elijah’s accusation against His people by letting him know that He had kept 7000 faithful to Himself. While they evidently had not distinguished themselves by active service, they had refrained from submitting to Baal.

We marvel at God’s wonderful ways in this situation of His servant’s depression. He dealt with him in tender, loving care, providing for him by angelic means, gave him full strength to attain his goal while also giving him opportunity to turn from it. God patiently listened to His servant’s complaint and accusation. He gave full evidence of His power while demonstrating His longsuffering character. He did not accept Elijah’s accusation against His people, but graciously refuted it. He accepted his resignation, as He is not dependent on any one of us. Yet He continued to use him, giving him a devoted helper to refresh him (2 Ki. 3:11), a helper who remained close to him to the end of his life of service. And to Elijah was given the honor of appearing with the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. There he and Moses conversed with Jesus not about themselves and their trials with failing Israel, but about the death He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. This would be the ultimate answer to mankind’s every problem and need.

Depression is not resolved by occupation with self, not even with one’s service for the Lord, nor by laying bare the faults of others, serious as they may be. For Christians, getting our eyes off the Lord and onto self and others can be a major contributing factor, yet we cannot be so simplistic as to view this as the only cause of depression. May God in His grace keep us from occupation with self, with others, with circumstances and with problems, and cause us to enjoy Christ.

Answered by Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

QUESTION: What is the Trinity doing today for the believer?

ANSWER: God is three persons in one – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:32-33; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2). In a way that only He can understand, God is a trinity: three in one and one in three. The relationship between each member of the Godhead and the believer is outlined below.

First, God is their Father (Jn. 20:17; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:6-7) and they are His children (1 Jn. 3:1). He has a great inheritance for them. God hears their prayers and forgives them when they confess and repent (Acts 8:22, Eph. 3:14-19; Col. 1:3). In response, they should serve God the Father (Rev. 1:6).

Second, the Lord Jesus Christ (the Son) is now in heaven preparing a place for them (Mk. 16:19; Jn. 14:2). When they sin He defends them and pleads their case (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:1). He also sustains the universe they live in (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).

Third, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would live in all His followers (Jn. 14:17; Acts 2:38-39). The Holy Spirit is their counselor, advocate, intercessor and comforter (Jn. 16:7). He teaches and reminds them (Jn. 14:26); testifies about Christ (Jn. 15:26); convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8-11); guides them into truth and reveals the things of God to them (Jn. 16:13-15); calls them to specific ministries (Acts 13:2-4); forbids certain actions (Acts 16:6-7); intercedes for them in prayer (Rom. 8:26-27); guides their prayers (Jude 20); and changes their character to be more like Christ (Gal. 5:22-25).

It is good for the believer to know and understand what each member of the Triune Godhead is doing for those who are His.

Answered by George Hawke