Don’t jump! God’s got you covered!!

By Helen Jesze, 2^nd October 2020

“The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,”

Psalm 34, 18 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,”

Jer. 29, 11 NIV

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,”

Deuteronomy 31, 6 NIV

The English poet, William Cowper, used to suffer from fits of depression. One day in 1773, he got in a taxi and told the driver to take him to London Bridge. On the way, a fog descended which became so dense, that the driver lost his way, and drove round and round. William asked if he could find the way to his home again, and he was able to do this. When William got out, the driver apologised and would not take any money, as he had not been able to take his passenger successfully to his destination.

“You don’t need to apologise,” said William, “you have just saved my life! I was going to jump off the bridge!” Entering his house he ran to his desk and wrote a well-known hymn. The first and third verses read like this:

“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the seas
And rides upon the storm.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.”

George Frideric Handel wrote the original version of Messiah in three to four weeks. Most historic accounts estimate the composer spent perhaps only 24 days writing the oratorio, which contains a quarter of a million notes. He locked himself in his room and ate hardly anything. His friends were worried as Handel had been going through a time of intense depression and darkness in his mind and soul, and was drowning in debt. But when he came out, his eyes were bright and filled with tears; Handel was like a new man. This oratorio has thrilled and brought hope to millions, especially being sung at Easter and Christmas.

Our friend Pastor Benjamin Selvaratnam, told us of an incident when he was a missionary in India. One morning between 4 and 5 am, he was very restless and got out of bed to pray. Unknown to him, a young man was standing by the railway lines nearby, waiting for the express. His parents had died and he had to provide for all the family, but could not find a job. That morning he was going to commit suicide by throwing himself in front of the train.

Suddenly a voice behind him said, “Don’t jump!” He looked round to see who had spoken, and just then the train thundered by. There was no-one there, but he noticed a light in the window of the mission-house, and he could see a man kneeling and praying. He knocked on the door and Pastor Benjamin let him in and led him to faith in Jesus Christ. As the young man left, promising to come to the prayer meeting later on, someone came and gave him a job! God had already prepared blessing and help for him – He had got him covered!

During this time of COVID-19, many people have committed suicide or have attempted to do so. Isolation, fear of illness or the future, losing their job, losing loved ones, loneliness have caused many to give up and not want to live anymore. The world they knew has crumbled in front of their eyes and they have lost control. Everything seems to be slipping through their fingers. They have lost their way and are enveloped in depression.

This can also happen to Christians and those who serve the Lord. Elijah the prophet, after his huge victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, then ran away in fear from Queen Jezebel. He lay down under a tree and asked God to take his life – he just wanted to die! But God had him covered and Elijah had a new encounter with Jehovah, and was given a new assignment!

Are you depressed today? Does the future look dark and forbidding? Do people and the devil tell you God has given up on you? That you are one big failure? Dear friend, God also has YOU covered! He has a good future full of hope waiting for you, and will deliver you and heal every wound in your heart. Depression can come to any of us, and there are many reasons for this, but I have discovered that when we are in a valley and God shows us the way out, we are then qualified to also show others that door of freedom! What Satan intended for evil, God can turn around for our good! Some of the best counsellors are those whom God has delivered from the throes of depression!

“You fearful saints, fresh courage take,
Those clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.”