He is for us

Be advised of the sensitive theme of suicide in today's reading...

When a loved one dies by suicide, with the grief comes an extra load of unanswerable questions. 'What should I have said or done differently?' 'Didn't they appreciate how much this would hurt us?' Those feelings and questions take time, and God's grace, to resolve. Those who have lost a loved one through suicide wrestle with these questions, so we pray this reading will help.

'How does God feel about people who commit suicide?' God's plan is not suicide... for anyone. But equally, nobody understands better than God the pain and despair that could lead someone to want to escape their suffering. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is constantly 'moved with compassion' for people. And today's verse describes how God feels about those who are feeling extremely fragile and ready to break: he is for us, not against us. 'Are those who commit suicide not allowed into Heaven?' In Matthew 12:31-32, the Bible lays out the only 'unforgivable' sin: and it isn't suicide. God's plan is not suicide. He has more for each of us than that. But he loves every person beyond suicide, too. Those who are grieving don't need to add that worry to their loads. Read Romans 8:38-39. Suicide can't stop God's overflowing love or undo the salvation his love bought.



So what now? Pray for those who've lost loved ones through suicide, and for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. 'Come, Lord Jesus, to each of them, I pray.'





— SCRIPTURE —

'A bruised reed he will not break.' Matthew 12:20 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

2 John, 3 John + Jude, Mark 8:27-38, Ps 119:137-144, Pro 22:11-13