Why Death when there is Life to live? (3 min Read)

 (September being World suicide prevention month. I dedicate this article to all the youths of our Nation)

The statistics concerning suicide rates in our country are alarming. Around 7 lakh people die committing suicide every year in our country. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15–19-year-olds. 77% of global suicides occur in low-and middle-income countries.

The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044. (Source: IC3 Institute)

Life in this 21^st century is not an easy cakewalk for most of us. Young minds are constantly assaulted with negative thoughts and mixed ideologies affect their Mental Health. Utter chaos and busyness is the state of their mind. Where can one get help and find solace in such troubled moments?

As human beings, we are made with intrinsic worth. No doubt we are wonderfully created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26). We are not just an accident on this planet, without any purpose. We are specially crafted by God and our lives are in His hands. We have no right to take our lives. God is the sole owner of our lives. The clay learns submission only in the hands of the potter. Are we like the clay submitting in His hands?

Suicide is surely a cowardly, devilish act when we don’t dare to face life’s challenges. “Winners never quit; those who quit never win”. we are called to soar high like an eagle. Never look down and walk without hope. There is a ray of hope and light for you in the following lines.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

As you read these lines (whoever you may be) allow these words to speak to you and take a grip on your life. Make a simple prayer in the place where you are right away and place your life into the hands of God.  You will be a changed person with renewed strength to face life’s challenges.

Rest is assured from God as you read and reflect on these comforting words of Jesus in Mat 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Respond to this invitation. Ask for immediate help if you have any suicidal thoughts. Seek the help of your friend, family member, or a trusted counselor without any delay. Talk to anyone whom you are comfortable with and get help. There is so much to live in this present life. You’re not alone in this fight. 

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!  

Three Portraits of a Troubled Heart - Psalm 13

Intro

When life hits with many sorrowful events how do we react?

What we do during these difficult moments of life?

We ask questions to God?

     David’s circumstance is not clearly described for us clearly in this psalm – in one sense it is good for us. We can apply this psalm to any of our life situations.

      Are you going through any painful situation currently in your life? If then Read the following lines and allow God to speak to your situation and find healing and comfort from this psalm. 

Psalm 13

A Psalm of David. (ESV) 

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul

    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

    light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord,

    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

 

 The stanzas seem to decrease in their magnitude or turmoil. At first, David cries out in anguish. Then he offers a gentler petition. Finally, he rests in the joy of knowing that God will answer him.

The psalm falls into three stanzas of two verses each: 1. The condition (13:1‑2); 2. The cry (13:3‑4); 3. The celebration (13:5‑6).

 1. Condition of our Hearts vv 1-2

 

·       We feel forgotten v.1a

God seems to be far away and we feel forgotten

What experience in your life makes you feel that you’re forgotten by God?

Feeling of estrangement due to sin?

 

·       We feel forsaken v.1b

God allows difficult situations to form our character. Sometimes feeling lonely is good, at least we get back to God from our despair

We often feel isolated from the human relationship and also from God himself.

Sorrowful v 2b

Subdued by enemies – 2c

Usually, our response could be: To waste our time not doing anything useful or we could work too much (workaholic) to hide our emotions.

 

Illus: A Scottish pastor was sharing in one of his sermons, that he will not do the following things when he is sad:

·       Not making any major decisions.

·       Not to write any letters.

·       Not to judge my spiritual life.

·       Not to judge others spiritual life.    

 2. Cry of our Hearts vv 3-4

It’s not a matter of why we cry? but to whom do we direct our cry?  v.3

Do we comfort direct our cries to God? He alone is concerned to listen to our cries and answer us in any situation.

 

Illus - My friend from Bangalore – who lost his mother and sister during this lockdown time. Lost his mother-in-law too in a month’s time and the whole family was grieving the loss of their loved ones.  It is really hard and painful to go through such grief in life.  

 

·       Our Heart before God v 3a

How genuine and real are we before God?

Do we pretend everything is fine in our lives?

Someone said: "The Heart of the matter is the matter of the heart".

 

·        Our Discouragements/ Disappointments/ Darkness v 3b,4

It can be any circumstance in our life. Bring to God and cry unto him.

we have plenty of examples in the bible who have gone through pain and sorrow in their hearts.

1.Elijah – 1 king 19 – depressed – we know the context who was Elijah in 1 kings 18.

2.Hannah – 1 sam 1

v.  3 Light up my eyes.

Hannah – her countenance changed.

Illus – famous Christian hymn - lines

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

3. Celebration of our Hearts vv 5-6

How can we celebrate when we are sorrowful?

How is it possible to rejoice in God when everything around us looks bleak and hopeless?

I believe only a believer in Christ can rejoice in all circumstances. (Phil 4)  

It needs lots of grace from God. 

Illus – I know a student in the college where I teach who is a good singer. She plays guitar and sings. Recently one student who was attending an online class – passed away a couple of weeks back. His death was sudden – and an early one.  This person was from the same village and  Knew him very well. And her heart was deeply saddened and she refused to sing that morning.

David’s situation did not change but his perspective changed. This is what God expects from us too.

3 reasons for celebration

·       Trusting in God’s Steadfast love v. 5a

·       Rejoicing in His salvation v 5

·       Singing, because of his goodness v 6

 

Conclusion

How about the condition of our hearts as we read this psalm?

Are we really able to sing to the Lord joyfully? Or do we pretend before others?

Bible gives us hope - Only in New heaven and in new earth – storms will be finally stilled – no more cry – no more pain.

Jesus said in john 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world”.

Illus: Recently in 2020 I was attending AIPC (All India Pastors conference) I came across a book named the valley of vision – edited by Arthur Bennet. prayers of the puritans. Few lines that comforted me are as follows:

“that the valley is the place of vision. Lord,

in the daytime, stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty

thy glory in my valley”.

 

Application  

1. Cry unto God – Be real & honest in your emotions before God.

2.Learn to rejoice and Sing in all circumstances. 

God bless!

 

What will be spoken of me in my funeral? (2 min read)

 

One who gained his life on this earth? Or One who wasted his life for Jesus? I want to be in the latter. Living as a fool for Christ in this world. Whether this world accepts me or not I am not hurt. I am accepted by my Lord and I know where I am heading to…Do you know your destiny?

As I was watching the funeral service of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham the great Evangelist I was deeply moved by the statement made by his son Rev. Franklin Graham and his daughter Anne Lotz Graham. Anne Graham said my dad loved the scriptures and always loved to read the portions of scriptures. Franklin Graham said like this while my dad was on this earth he preached about Heaven to millions and wrote about Heaven in a book and now he Himself is in Heaven, in the presence of God. What a hope and an assurance it is.

A few resolutions taken on the day of His funeral:

ü  To preach the infallible Word of God.

ü  To carry the Bible to the pulpit and speak with all authority.

ü  To preach Repentance.

ü  To Preach Christ and win people for Christ.

Heaven and Hell are real ones. Don’t think it’s a Disney tales that we tell to the children. It’s a matter of choice that determines your destiny. You will be surprised one day in knowing your destiny. Before it is too late, you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ wherever you live now on this earth and turn your life to Him.

A life well lived will always impact others and will leave a legacy behind. The quality of life lived on this earth is important. Examine yourself and ask honest questions to yourself. Because we cannot lie to ourselves.

Repent of your sins – Take heed to what the Bible talks about Heaven – Give your life to Jesus. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Oh how I wish my funeral also be impacting others, at least one?

To God be the Glory!