Why does God take the innocent?

Sometimes God doesn’t seem to play fair.

2 Samuel 12:15–17 NIV84

After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

David was the real villain here so how come the Lord strikes down the child?

The seventh day?

2 Samuel 12:18 NIV84

On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

God’s number for working creation with His people is 7. Seven is the number where God and humanity come together.

Is protecting someone from the TRUTH the best way to handle grief?

2 Samuel 12:19 NIV84

David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

Truth is ALWAYS the best course of action. When someone is in grief their “spidey” sense is heightened so attempting to conceal the truth will often lead to further grief or depression.

David gives a startling response to the news.

2 Samuel 12:20–23 NIV84

Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His servants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

What does David teach us about handling struggle that is based in grief?

1: Prepare for grief by building a strong foundation of prayer.

2. We can pray that God will change HIS mind but what is going to happen is that God gives us a special time to come before HIS throne and rest in HIM alone.

3. When the time of grief comes, find your place of worship and surrender yourself and the one you grief completely over to God.

4. Understand that this doesn’t take the love for that one you grief away but assures you that the one you have lost is now in the loving arms of the one who loved them first.

Where do you go when you have allowed yourself to grieve?

2 Samuel 12:24–25 NIV84

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

Go out and help others deal with their grief.

1: Empathize

2. Evangelize

3. Energize