Those He Has Gathered: Depressed Prisoners

September 2

(Psalm 107:10-16 NIV) “Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, {11} for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. {12} So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. {13} Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. {14} He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. {15} Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, {16} for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”

Millions of people today sit alone in prisons of their own making. Their chains may not be visible, but they are held captive by things like addiction, greed, anxiety, remorse, envy, pride, lust, grief, anger, abuse, and guilt. They stagger around in mental and emotional darkness. They suffer in the solitary confinement of emotional bondage. Their past beats them severely on a daily basis. Shackled by depression and hunched over in despair, they wonder, “Does anybody really care?” Yes, someone does care. His name is Jesus. His love is unfailing. He hears us when we cry out. He brings light to our darkness. He loosens our chains and breaks down the gates that hold us back. He cuts through the iron bars of dysfunction and saves those in distress. Call on His name! His name can change everything. Praise His name! Praise the name of Jesus! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day