(Note: The following message was a part of a graveside service for little girl, her parents' firstborn, who died during birth.)

PRAYER

REMARKS:

In Matthew 19:13-15 we read,

Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

The question that has probably been on the minds of most of us since the passing of this little one is, "Why did it happen?" I know I could never answer that question to your satisfaction because I cannot answer it to my own complete satisfaction. Many things happen in this life are beyond the comprehension of our finite minds. The things God allows to happen often have broad ranging implications that would be impossible for human beings to trace.

We can, however, take comfort in the things God has revealed to us. I'd like to point your minds to two areas that are relevant to this present experience. First, consider

1. What This Means To This Little One.

The most important thing it means is that she has gained heaven.

There is no doubt in the Bible as to the destiny of a child who dies. In the passage I read a moment ago, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

The thing that cuts us out of the kingdom is sin and a child has no sin. Other passages make it clear that the child does not inherit the guilt of those who have come before him.

There is no plan of salvation for infants in the Bible. There is no infant baptism in the Bible. The reason for this is that there is no need. A little child is innocent, and in that condition he or she can go directly into the presence of God. This little girl has gained heaven.

Another thing this event means to this little one is that she has been spared the heartaches, temptations, and disappointments that are common to this life.

There is no way to know just how much trouble and sorrow this little one has been spared. The troubles of this life are heavy on all of us, but it seems that they are more of a burden for some. At some point in all of this, if we are to maintain any degree of rationality, we have to come to the conviction that God knows what is best, though we do not always understand it.

This child, safe in the arms of Jesus, is not grieving at this moment. There is no grieving and mourning in heaven, and she has been spared the sorrows of this life.

More acutely felt at this time, however, is the second thing I want to consider:

2. What This Means To The Loved Ones This Little One Leaves Behind.

Of course, the most obvious thing it means is the sorrow and disappointment that you feel. Grieving is a natural human response, and, I might say, a proper response. Jesus grieved at the death of his friend, Lazarus.

God would not have us grieve without hope, however. In I Thessalonians 4:13-14 we read,

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."

This little one will come with Jesus when He returns in the Second Coming. Her body will be raised at that time and changed into an eternal body.

Though this present event means sorrow and disappointment to most of you, it also means that heaven today holds for us an even greater treasure than before.

Much of the time, talk about heaven and life after death falls on the dull ears of all of us. We don't really want to think about it. Why would we want to go to heaven when we have so much here?

Now, however, heaven holds someone precious to you - someone you would love to see again. This experience can become a golden chain of faith that binds you closer to God and causes you to try more diligently to live for Him that you may go and be with this little one forever. A poet wrote,

"She is not dead - the child of our affection -
But gone into that land
Where she no longer needs our protection,
For there she's led by Christ's dear hand.
"In the great cloister's stillness and seclusion
By guardian angels led,
Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution
She lives whom we call dead."

May God grant all of you His comfort and peace as you struggle to come to grips with the grief that you feel. Remember that He knows and He cares and stands by, ready to give you comfort if you take refuge in Him.

The Psalmist wrote,

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

Draw on the strength that He offers.

PRAYER

Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.

Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.

All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

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