April 7, 2010

Today's reading: II Samuel 16, 17, 18; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7

II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."

Our topic for today is not something that anyone wants to really talk about. Unfortunately, it needs to be discussed. As I was reading our Scripture today I could not help but be drawn to the fact of Ahithophel taking his own life. This is so sad. I hope you do not think that I am being unkind or anything as I discuss this important topic.

There are so many families that have been touched by this tragedy. I call it a tragedy because it is a permanent solution to a problem that is more than likely temporary. I do not know what drives people to take their own life. I thought of two tragic situations where people that I knew took their own lives. As I think about it I begin to weep all over again.

One instance, a man who was in a position of leadership in the community took a gun and put it to his own head and sealed his own destiny with the trigger pull. I remember it like it was yesterday. His young children found him. I do not know how you can make it through a situation like this if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

The second instance is one that is very close to me. A cousin to be exact. Nobody on this side of eternity knows "why". From this unfortunate instance there has come a book, "Suicide: how God sustained a family". You should read it (yes, I am prejudice as I know the author).

Parents, you need to talk with your children about this. We need to know our children so well that we see the signs. We need to pray for our children that God will protect them from this. It is not the unpardonable sin to commit suicide. It is tragic, however. We need to teach our children to delight in the Lord and His ways. Look at Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."

I hope this tragedy never strikes your family; but, if it does I know that Jesus Christ will be there for you if you will lean on Him.

How are you doing?