November 10, 2023

Author: Pastor David Miner
November 10, 2023

Reading: 1 Samuel 31 | Optional Reading: 1 Samuel 29 - 30
“4 Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so, Saul took his own sword and fell on it. (1 Samuel 31:4 NIV)

Suicide is a serious problem today. In 2021 12.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide; 3.5 million adults planned; 1.7 million adults attempted suicide, and 48,183 people died by suicide in the United States – 1 death every 11 minutes. But why do people commit suicide? Usually, it is because their lives have gone terribly wrong. Some sin or problem, maybe bad grades in school, a bully situation, a parent’s death, or divorce, has struck, and the young person feels depressed and angry inside. He or she may try to end it all to relieve the pain.
In the story we are looking at today, King Saul had lost an important battle. His fighting sons were killed, including Jonathan, David’s best friend. Saul saw no way out. In the darkest of the hour, he saw only one course of action: to die. So, Saul fell on his sword and killed himself.
Thoughts of suicide are nothing to be played with. If you feel depressed and suicidal, get help – today. You can call the church office, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, if you are a U.S. veteran or service member in crisis, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255, and the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454, our just dial 911.
Do not keep it to yourself, and remember God is with you. He will help you through this. He knows what you are going through, God has plans for you, and assures you that better days are coming, no matter how bad it looks now. Do not let this time of pain and darkness destroy you.

Heavenly Father, let me turn to you for help when I am feeling down. Amen.

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