Relief in His presence

Another piece of the puzzle to fight depression is to seek God's presence. In psalm 42, the psalmist says:

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God? (v 2)

He also says this, again in psalm 42:

By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life. (v 8)

Think about those verses . . . he wants to go and meet with God. He wants to appear before Him. That sounds nice on the surface, but it's really kind of terrifying!

Stephen recounted the story of Moses and the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire:

When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. (Acts 7:31-32)

In Exodus, the Lord told Moses:

But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20)

The psalmist knows that he can get through meeting his God because he says "day and night" his God is with him (Psalm 42:8). He trusts in Him, even while he knows that the light of God's presence shines on any sin in our lives and brings it into the open. 

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

The psalmist is an example to us -- the only person who can truly desire the presence of God is the one who is willing to confess and forsake sin.

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
    nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
    you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) 

When we feel the need of God's presence and help, we will seek Him as in the New Testament story of the pearl of great price. We will do everything to have that relationship with Him. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)

The thirst for God is a sure sign that we are His children. We may be depressed, but we are still His, and He will comfort us.

Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, (II Corinthians 1:3)

Be with us, Lord.