If God is a Loving God, why does he allow innocent children to Die?
If God is a Loving God, why does he allow innocent children to Die? belongs to the following groups:
! 100% !, Bubblettes, End Times, Everyday Life, Everyday Women, Light In The Darkness, Living Christianity, Mature Woman, Spiritual Art and This is EnglandWhy Innocent Children Die?. I will prayerfully answer this. This question was asked by Helen, who commented on my photo, “Rachel weeping for her children. I am sure it is one many have asked.
(Matthew 2:16-18 NRSV) When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. {17} Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: {18} “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Let’s turn to the Bible for our help. Just to give you a little background of our scripture. We are reading about the events that surrounded the birth of Jesus. It is the Christmas story you do not hear at Christmas. The three wise men have been asked by the King at that time to find the Christ child, and report back his whereabouts. The King’s plan was to go and kill the infant king, and keep the family throne. Well, the three wise men were warned in a dream to return home secretly, without reporting to King Herod. Now, let’s go to the Bible:
Recently, I was asked to assist in a prayer and healing service for a 5-year-old little girl, dying of cancer. About five days after our service and continuous prayer for, we’ll call her little Sarah, the doctors reported that the cancer had disappeared. We all celebrated God’s glory in healing little Sarah. Seven days later, her lungs failed and she died.
The question we all asked ourselves, was why did God let little Sarah die, even after her miraculous healing?
The same question could of been asked of the Bible, why did so many innocent children have to die in Bethlehem for Jesus to be born. It becomes clear from our reading, that God knew about it, because it was to fulfill what God said 600 some years ago through the prophet Jeremiah. Yet, the hundreds of mothers were like Rachel weeping inconsolably “because they are not more.”
“Why God?, Why?, is our cry.”
The first step in answering the question “why” is to examine the question we ask—”Why?” Are we really searching for wisdom into the intricacies of God’s will and plan? Are we really seeking knowledge of God’s will or the nature of the universe? And, if we received such an answer from God to our supposed inquiring why,
a) Could we even understand it?
b) Would we be satisfied and carry on, business as usual?
c) Would we be like the Bible says, like “Rachel weeping inconsolably because they are no more?”. Only now, with the divine answer, we are even more confused!
In the book of Job, in the Bible, Job asks the question why he has had to suffer the loss of his family, children, and health. God does answer, but Job cannot bear the answer. He is too small and God is too big! God speaks to him out of the whirlwind, (Job 40:1-5 NRSV) And the LORD said to Job: {2} “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Anyone who argues with God must respond.” {3} Then Job answered the LORD: {4} “See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. {5} I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but will proceed no further.”
Again in (Job 42:2-3 NRSV) talking to God, “I know that you can do all things, and that they can thwart no purpose of yours . . . Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
The Bible tells us that we could not understand the answer, even if we received it!
Add to that, even if we could understand it, it would not help in our grief because they [those we lost] are no more.
The answer to the question why would do nothing to take away the sorrow and pain from the loss of our children. Our cry why, is not to increase our divine knowledge but to take away the pain of our grief. In reality we are not asking why after all. We are just using the word to cry out, “God take away the pain of my grief.” “God it hurts so much to lose this child I loved so much.” “God I hurt!” “Help me in my grief.”
It is at this point that God offers us the answer to our true cry. We stand at a turning point. Jesus Christ invites us to . . . (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV) “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
God’s loving hand in Jesus Christ is saying “Come to me” and I will answer your true question, how can the pain go away.
Jesus said, (Matthew 5:4 NRSV) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
If you turn to me [Jesus] in your pain and bitterness I will send my Holy Spirit, the comforter to console you and help you understand that I love you, and I know your pain. You are not alone and I will bless you in your pain and grief with a deeper understanding and experience of my divine love.
Brothers and Sister, it is at this point that we have to make a decision! Do I turn to the love of God in Jesus Christ in my grief or to the bitterness of a cruel world that has little meaning in life except more pain and loss? If you choose the bitterness of the world, your question “why” will never be answered, and your grief will always remain in some form or another—bitterness, anger, depression, you’ll remain lost, and without hope.
If you turn to Jesus and offer him your true cry of pain, you will hear the voice of God’s spirit speaking to your spirit, “I had a child too. He too was innocent. There was no sin in him. His name was Jesus and he died a terrible death at the hands of evil men. I even knew about it long before it happened. Yet, I allowed it to happen. Yes, I even caused it to happen because I love you so much, that I would lose my innocent child too, so that I could answer your cries and prayers to make it stop hurting.”
He is alive today, and he is calling you to come to Him in your sorrow and grief and He will give you rest for your soul. You will even be blessed by his comfort. Jesus keeps his promises, and he promised, “blessed are those who mourn for they shall find comfort.”
You see brothers and sisters, God does answer our question, “why do children have to die?” if we understand the true nature of our cry. He does take away our sorrow and tears and heals our broken heart. He does it because he loves us, and he lost his innocent child too. He knew about it ahead of time and did it anyway, for us.
Just like innocent children of Bethlehem, God told us 700 some years ago, his son would die for us and heal our broken hearts.
(Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV) Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. {5} But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Brothers and Sisters, do you have a broken heart? Are you asking the question why, when you are really crying out in pain?
The answer to your question and cry is Jesus Christ. Do you know him now? Did you know him once? Come to him now . . . and be healed!
Then the innocent child, who died, will not have died in vain. Because you turned to Jesus Christ as your healer and savior in your grief, they healed you, and you have come to know the love of God in a much deeper way. Like Jesus, another innocent child died, that you might find the love and healing of a Savior.
Pray this prayer with me.
Lord, forgive us for crying against you in our pain, hear our true cry and come into our hearts to save us, and heal us. Come in Lord Jesus!
Thank you, God, for our healing, and for the gift of eternal life. Amen.
God Bless you, God loves you, and I love you, but it’s God that counts!
I invite all to please visit my Mission Africa Charity website:
http://www.philadelphia33.org/
Please Visit my profile page and click on the buttons to see all my work in organised groups.
Jenny Brice
Amen Trevor.
anaisnais
praise you for trying to help the understanding of others with your explanation, braver than I in trying to explain such subject. I simply see our lives like that of candles each burning different from the next, some brighter somes faster and all different shapes ages and sizes….but as the winds of life blow differently upon us so we are extinguished at different paces. None of us know when our time is upp, and so how much more we shouold be fulfilling our short time here. There is only one certainty comes with life of course that is death. Of course it is our compassion that grieves, our anger that questions, the two opposites. Those lost to us would wish to see a loving peaceful compassionate side not the angry one. How much more then should we walk the way of love? Love of course is Jesus and he brings promise of better things, brings us light and freedom from all we suffer in life, why should we be angry at the passing of closeones other than self need, for do we not want the best for those who pass? I hope your words bring some hope to your readers. Seasons greetings my friend….
Michael Reimann
Oh my, what an awesome post.
When asked this same question, my answer is usually “God let them die for the same reason that He let His own Son die. Becuase He LOVES us.”
You see, I see the starving and suffereing children ALL as little examples of Christ.
Where this world to unite, there is enough money on this planet and enough resources that NONE would suffer.
Everyday we are faced with opportunities to show the love and compassion of Christ, yet we turn a blind eye.
The world says “Starving children in Africa? Not my problem.”
The world says “Homeless and hungry people? Not my problem”
The world says “Abused and neglected elderly? Not my problem.”
But Christ said all this IS your problem. God gives you choices everyday to do the will of Him or the will of the flesh.
Why is it that we always want to grieve after the fact but not do anything beforehand to remedy the situation?
Death is a release from the burdens of this world, and I for one believe that ALL children are saved until they reach an age of understanding of what it means to be saved.
Our saviour left this world beaten, bruised, and scarred.
If we are to walk with Him, are we to expect to leave this world any differently?
Blessed are those that suffer the most from circumstances they cannot change, for God has placed their care in OUR hands, and as Christians we are to care for them with the love and compassion of Christ.
I pray that He gives those that ask this question peace and understanding that only the Holy Spirit can bring.
Love in Christ,
Mike
TREVOR IRWIN
God Bless you all for your Bmails and encouragement. I truly value your comments. Please pray for Helen who made a comment on my Photograph called Rachel weeping for her children. pray that our loving god will wrap his arms around her and heal her heart and soul.
Ruth 2:12 The Lord give you a reward for what you have done, and may a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take cover.
loramae
We all have those questions sometime don’t we? Thank you for taking time to answer such a hard question..Im not sure that I could answer it myself quite so eloquently as you have Trevor :O)
ufosIsee
Thanks for sharing a wonderful message…..
Squealia
It is always something i have wondered myself :O)
sunshine0
Trevor this is a beautiful explanation for why we cry “Why”? My sister lost her son a yr. ago to a car accident. He lost control of his car in the rain and hit a tree head on. His brain stem was crushed immediatley. My sister understand this explanation but her argument is, ” But Jesus was raised from the dead and her son wasn’t. I am sure it is just her grief telling her that. But she is still asking why? ~ Marie xx
Andrew Nelson
Don’t delude yourself, its all you’ve got. Once the illusions are gone only Love remains
Catherine Howell
Michael Riemann’s comment about our Savior leaving this world beaten, scarred and bruised…AWESOME.
The times when I feel closest to The Lord are when the most awful attacks come. Instead of getting upset, like I sometimes do, I should feel honored to suffer, as Christ suffered.
We are only travelers here, for a short while.
Trevor, it is a priveledge to call you “Brother.” Thanks for writing this. Thanks for going and doing what hardly anyone will go and do. I thank God for your heart for the neglected people of Africa. It thrills me to be even a small part of what God is doing there, through you, and others like you:)
The road to Heaven is often painful,
But where there is no pain-
There cannot be any gain.
I would rather be broken on the inside, and saved
Than perfect on the outside, and lost!
cathy
TREVOR IRWIN
thank you all for commenting on Rachel weeping for her Children This sure has provoked bmails and interest. Sunshine, your sisters son, like all who die physically will rise again. those who are saved [received Jesus as Lord and Savior to eternal life] those who reject him to eternal punishment.
I trust he was a born again child of God.
Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Man is a spirit that lives in a body. The soul never dies. The real me lives in a body. Nobody can see the real you. They see your body. Flesh and blood cannot enter heaven,
Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job was a righteous man who loved God. He asked the question if a man die shall he live again. He said he was waiting for his change. Death. He knew death was not his end.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
We have the sinful nature of Adam. all men are born with a sinful nature. Nobody teaches a little child to sin. They tell lies and other sinful things its sinful nature. But God Loves mankind but hates sin. this is why he send Jesus into this world, in the likeness of man, and to pay the penalty for sin in his own body. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Again Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
But there is hope and God made a way for all men to escape and be saved from eternal punishment.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The gift of God is eternal life. No End. John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
There is no other way to God, but through Jesus Christ. You may pray, but if you do not pray in the name of Jesus Christ you will not be heard. This is the doorway to God.
+John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.
We shall all rise from the dead one day. Some to everlasting Life and some to everlasting death and torment.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words*.
that is why I fear not death, for I like many know the grave is not the end. All who die in Christ will someday be raised to everlasting life, peace and Joy!.
Death is not the end.