MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Psalm 77:1-20
Matthew 7:7-11

“… all things work together
for good to them that love God …”

A CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER SAY DIE

In moments of darkest despair, a Christian may be tempted to take his own life. Some have even tried it, but by God’s grace they are delivered in the nick of time. Have you entertained suicidal thoughts? This is very sinful, a sin committed against your own soul! The Sixth Commandment begins with yourself! 

Psalm 77 by Asaph on a minor key, nevertheless with strong cryings to God, should help you get out of your blues. How often we lose out by opting out. We are strong in seeking the world but weak in seeking God.

In this Psalm, let us cry out to God with the Psalmist in verses 1 to 3; let us hear him lamenting and arguing with himself in verses 4 to 9. From verses 10 to 15 let us meditate with him Godward. As he meditates on the power and mercy of God he sees as it were a vision of God delivering His people through the Red Sea by the hand of Moses and Aaron. “At this point, as if lost in ecstasy, he hurriedly closes the Psalm with an abruptness, the effect of which is quite startling. The Spirit of God knows when to cease speaking, which is more than those do who, for the sake of making a methodical conclusion, prolong their words even to weariness” (Spurgeon).

Why should not a Christian say die? He foolishly thinks of suicide when he is strayed far away from God. But here is a lesson from Asaph. In our moments of darkest despair let us cry unto God, our Saviour and Redeemer, yea even our loving Father. As He had delivered the forefathers of the Israelites, so has He saved us, some through several generations since our ancestors believed. As He had saved Israel from Pharaoh and the terrors of the wilderness, so He has saved our fathers from many dangers and strifes. A Christian must never say die!

THOUGHT: “Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?” (Ps 77:7)
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 77:1.)