SCRIPTURE
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
DEVOTION
[Trigger warning: this devotion contains mention of suicide.]
The month of September is Suicide Prevention month.
The topic of suicide is perhaps one of the most painful and challenging dicussions in our faith, but it is necessary that we see what the Word of God says about it.
In today’s devotion, I don’t want to address what the Bible says about suicide itself, but rather what it says about life… More specifically what it says about how important life is to God.
I pray that the words of this devotion would sound like words which have come straight from God Himself – from the One who loves you, who loves your life, and who is always with you.
If you are struggling with suicidal or depressive thoughts, please do seek help immediately. Your Lord Jesus loves you with an everlasting love and there is hope. There are some helplines at the end of this devotion too.
Let us pray as we begin.
“Father God, we open our hearts to You today. We open our hearts to Your Word today. We pray, may we come to know Your love more clearly. Comfort and console every aching and desperate heart. Give us life, and life in abundance. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
#1: God the Giver of Life
“In the next 40 minutes, 60 people will die by suicide.”
This sobering statistic was shared at the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) Symposium in 2021. Such a global figure can feel impersonal and distant to us, but “every single one of these numbers was a person, was a life, was a hope” (President of the American Association of Suicidology).
A person. A life. A hope…
That is what each one of us are.
Dear friend, the Word of God tells us that each one of us is not here by mistake, by chance, or by accident. No matter what the circumstances were that brought us into the world, the Bible is clear that we were made – and made intentionally – by God.
In Job 33:4, Job declares, ‘“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”’
Truly, you have been designed, created, and have had life breathed into you by our God Almighty.
He is the God who has given you life! And if He has given you life, then He has also given you a purpose and a hope. This IS the truth, dear friend.
#2: God the Protector of Life
The God who created our lives is also the God who protects our lives.
There is so much in this world that can make our lives feel threatened and under attack, is there not, dear friend?
We have very real and very difficult struggles in this life, and not to mention the fact that we also have a very real enemy, the devil, who seeks to steal, kill, and to destroy our lives.
But in God’s Word, we can have confidence in His protection even as we face these things.
Psalm 91:9-10 says, ‘Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place – the Most high, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.’
Dear friend, you have a God who has offered Himself as your dwelling place and as your refuge. He is the God who will protect your life.
#3: God the Restorer of Life
In John 10:10, Jesus says that He ‘came that [we] may have life and have it in abundance’. Jesus came so that we may have full lives – lives of joy, hope, peace; lives without fear, anxiety, and mental and spiritual oppression. He came to free us, dear friend. He came to restore our lives.
When struggling with mental health, it is natural for us to feel like there is no hope, and like there is no way out of our situation.
But Jesus is our hope. Jesus is your hope.
He loves you and He loves your life so much that He longs to restore you. And there is no life that is too far gone for Jesus to restore.
So, dear friend, I pray, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [in Him], so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13). In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you’re feeling troubled and would like to speak with someone, help is available at these centres:
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1-767 (1-SOS) (24-hrs)
Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24-hours)
National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Reflect on what the Word of God says about your life and how precious it is to God. Which verse resonates most deeply with you today? May it sink deep into your heart and mind today, dear friend.
- John 10:10 – Jesus came to give me life and life in abundance.
- Job 33:4 – The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
- Psalm 91:9-10 – Because I have made the Lord my dwelling place – the Most high, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall me, no plague come near my tent.
- OTHER
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are truly the God of life. You are the God who values life – my life, and the lives of those around me. You are the God who has created each one of us, who protects us, and who restores us. Help me to know and to believe these truths today.
Please help all those who are struggling with depressive or suicidal thoughts to know that You love them and that there is hope. I pray that You restore their lives, and that You take them out of the darkness they are in and bring them into Your marvellous light. Please heal them, Lord God.
May we all come to know, Lord Jesus, that You came to give us life and life in abundance.
In Your mighty name, I pray, amen.
PRAYER POINTERS
Pray for someone you may know personally who is struggling. Pray for God’s comfort and love over them.
