“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, ESV)

14/11/2021 – Evening Service: Spiritual Depression

Bible Readings:

Jeremiah 17:1 – 27

Psalms 42, 43

Sermon Outline:

Psalms 42

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the Sons of Korah.

1     As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2     My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3     My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

 “Where is your God?”

I The Psalmist’s problem

Psalm 42:4 (NKJV)

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

II The Psalmist’s handling of his depression

Psalm 42:5 (NKJV)

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

III The Psalmist’s continual struggle

Psalm 42:11 (NKJV)

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.


The year of grace 1654,

Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement, pope and martyr, and others in the martyrology.
Vigil of St. Chrysogonus, martyr, and others.
From about half past ten at night until about half past midnight,

FIRE.

GOD of Abraham, GOD of Isaac, GOD of Jacob
not of the philosophers and of the learned.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace.
GOD of Jesus Christ.
My God and your God.
Your GOD will be my God.
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD.
He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Grandeur of the human soul.
Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you.
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.
I have departed from him:
They have forsaken me, the fount of living water.
My God, will you leave me?
Let me not be separated from him forever.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified.
Let me never be separated from him.
He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel:
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth.
Not to forget your words. Amen.

Pascal – https://ccel.org/ccel/pascal/memorial/memorial.i.html