WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD DIES

Text - 2 Samuel 12:15-23

This morning we have gathered together because we recognize the need to seek the comfort, hope and direction that God is able to give to us from His word during this time.

All of our minds are focused on the death of this child this morning, but let’s first consider it’s life.

The Bible clearly teaches that life does not begin when a child is born but when conception takes place.

Luke 1:39-45, “Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43"And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."

In Psalm 127:3 it says, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.”

As parents we want to believe that our children will live many years. But the reality is that no one knows when death will come and life will end.

Genesis 27:2, “And Isaac said, "Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death.”

We may live to be as old as Jeanne Calment who was the oldest women in the world and died at the age of 122.

However, death may not come in old age, it can also happen when we are young.

The death of a child no matter if they are young or old is one of the hardest and traumatic things a parent can experience.

But God and His Word can give us the comfort, hope and grace that we need to get through it.