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Job 6:9

⁹that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

Job despaired of life. His children were dead. His wife told him to just curse God and die. His wealth was stolen and he was suffering physically for some time. His friends blamed it all on some hidden sin in his life. Job wanted to die, and who could blame him? Yet Job would not take his own life. Though he expressed no hope in the future, he endured it all and would not sin against God.

Suicide is the final act of a lack of trust in God. It is utter selfishness in that it only wishes to be relieved of pain, yet leaving others in the pain of losing you. It is declaring that you do not believe God can or will change your condition. It is throwing away the blessing of life and the opportunity to serve God. It proclaims that you do not believe the promises of God.

Job knew he could not cross that line, even though he longed for death. If you have been in such desperation, or know someone that is right now, the story of Job can bring comfort. His end was greater and more blessed than he could ever have imagined during his suffering. We may not have such a glorious end, but if we are willing, like Job, we will learn the great lessons that suffering teaches. We will be drawn closer to the Lord and be enabled to encourage others in their suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Remember: There are times when the promises of God seem out of reach. No matter how bad your circumstances, you can be sure that God's promises will never fail. He cannot lie.