Beyond the Death of Your Child
On a number of occasions I’ve stood in situations similar to this. From the age of infants the same age to adult children who fell prey to addiction.
I’ve never felt adequate to the moment. There are no right words that eliminate the pain.
I have a theology that believes in God’s grace for a child who dies at this place and season of life. So, this service today, is not really about Neo.
Actually, except in the sense of eulogizing and celebrating the life of anyone who has died, in my thought such a service, is about the living. To find some slight comfort and perhaps most important to find a sense of direction for tomorrow.
We cannot unring this particular bell called death. Life has come and gone. The sadness of the unexpected, unplanned for and unimaginable is something you now own - though this is an experience no parent ever wants.
There is an oft overlooked experience in King David’s life. David was the greatest king of Israel. David authored the majority of the Psalms. Both the Old Testament and New Testament speak of David as a man after God’s own heart. The significance of David in Biblical history cannot be overstated.
David would be better able to speak to you than me for David experienced the death of a baby.
His baby lived 7 days, desperately sick every moment of its short life.
David fasted and prayed for his baby’s healing. He lay on the ground. When his aides attempted to get him up or feed him - David refused their support. He was seemingly beyond help. Probably you feel some similarly today.
When the baby died, David’s servants were hesitant to tell him. They feared how David might respond.
2 Samuel 12:19-20. But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
David did five things.
1. David arose - Unfortunately, he could not change what wass. He arose. How we arise varies. How we grieve varies.
I do know that we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.” Some walk faster than others . . . But walk on we must. David arose!
2. David washed and anointed himself. Old Testament anointing was the application of oil and spices. Washing speaks for itself. In a bit. I’ll mention how that can be applied to you - in the era and age now live in.
3. David changed - He changed his garments, but I want to build on the word change. Moments like this can be . . . Can be . . . Can be . . . Pivotal moments of change. I don’t know enough about what the focus of your life has been to offer direct and specific counsel for you.
I’ve an idea that you know yourself what could and should be changed to live pleasing to Jesus. If not . . . We have a wonderful personal Bible study of several lessons. It can lead to change. David changed . . .
4. David came into the house of the Lord.
We don’t know how long it had been since David had been to the Lord’s house. But it was a time to be at the Lord’s house.
For this group - many who I know extremely well. It is time for you to come into the Lord’s house.
I don’t think the death of Neo Is some divine vendetta to get our attention. I do think it is an opportunity to truly make your move back to God’s house.
5. David worshipped. David not only came to the house of the Lord. David became an active participant. It was a high expression of who He - God is. We praise Jesus for what he has done. We worship him for who he is. Worship is the magnificent call to a correct relationship with Jesus . . .
And oh . . . I mentioned David washing and anointing. In the New Testament, baptism in Jesus name is spoken of as a “washing.” And the infilling of the Holy Spirit is like an anointing. Baby Neo Needs no baptism . . . She does not need the spirit of Christ. I do . . . And you do.
Perhaps you have questions about both. Again, I reiterate the availability of a personal Bible Study of several lessons.
On the death of David’s child.
No fitting explanation.
David arose - You will also need to arise - perhaps not today or tomorrow but you must . . You simply must arise.
David washed and anointed - Would the death of this baby - prompt a spiritual washing and a spiritual anointing?
David changed - we all need change. What change is needed? The New Testament calls it repentance - an about face - to take a new direction in life.
David went to the house of the Lord. It is obvious from David’s psalms that he spent much time there. You’d not go wrong by following David’s example.
David worshiped. David was not just a static presence taking up space in the Lord’s house. He became an active participant.
Prayer - walk over to parents and grandparents - make the prayer personal.
