What is the source of our joy? Is it what Jesus has done for us or what we now do for him? Is it in his performance in the past or in our own performance in the present? The psalmist was his own counsellor and gave himself a good talking to whenever he succumbed to spiritual depression. Three times he asks himself, on what appears to be one specific occasion: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed in me" (Ps 42:5, 11; 43:5). Does he then say: "You should work harder, pray more, witness more, do more loving acts of kindness, be more like those believers you admire so much, etc., etc.?" Not at all! He says: "Put your hope in God". But he doesn't stop there; he responds to his own entreaties! "I will yet praise him my Saviour and my God!" I will praise him as my Saviour. I cannot save myself, or know peace and joy by "doing", only by "being". I will praise him as my God. I will rejoice that he is Sovereign over every circumstance of my life and will never, ever leave me or give up on me.

Another psalmist, speaking in old age, and having endured exceptionally hard times in the past, and currently being persecuted, wrote: "In you I have taken refuge … for you are my rock and fortress … You have been my hope … my confidence since my youth … I have relied on you … I shall always have hope" (Ps 71). Hope is the key word for both psalmists.

"When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Jesus, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!' 'Yes,' he told them … But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven'" (Lk 10:17-20). Ours names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. They can never be removed. That must be our source of joy, not any apparent success in "ministry" to others.

I have been struck recently by Paul's constant reminders concerning what God has done for us in Jesus. He never tells us to rejoice in our own achievements. "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say" (2 Th 2:16-17).

I admit that I suffer from spiritual depression and have good days and bad days. I constantly have to give myself a good talking to. I find myself wanting to sing "Before the throne of God above" pretty well every day! It is a biblical summary of what the Christian life is all about. I sing it slowly under my breath, deliberately taking every word to heart. It is a tremendous help and I highly recommend it!

 Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

 When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Saviour died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

 Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Saviour and my God
With Christ my Saviour and my God