Zacheriah Ford

Introduction:

I want to thank all of you for gathering as we support Shane and Jacquelyn in their loss of both Zacheriah and Shiloh Ford. I can’t imagine the pain and the loss that they are experiencing right now and I know it means a lot to them that you would show love to them in these moments.

Even though both these little guys never had the opportunity to watch a sun rise or feel the cool wind on their face they were still known by the Lord.

Psalm 139:13–16 ESV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

And even though they will have no memory of their time here, they have purpose and meaning in our hearts and helped shape our lives.

It’s hard to find comfort in times like these because our minds are full of questions instead of answers. People will say:

Why did God allow this?

What evil has cause this?

What did I do wrong?

And to each of these questions there is no clear answer. Only to trust. The world that God created for us was not filled with crualties and pain. It wasn’t harsh and unfair. I was good, very good. But God desiring a people that would choose to love Him had to give the choice to reject. And we did, bringing a curse over the world that has caused all the heartaches, the pains, the suffering, the strife, the unfairness, and even death. And in the midst of all this God is still desiring a people that will choose to love Him.

Being a believer and walking with God is not a pass from the horrors of this world or the pain that it causes. But it is a promise that God will walk with you through the trials of life and confort you through the pains we must endure.

Psalm 139:7–12 ESV

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Being a believer ensures the relationship with God that he will never leave us nor forsake us. The whole point Jesus coming to this sin cursed world was to embrace the pain that we feel so that he can feel with us and comfort us. God can say I know what it’s like to loose a son. I understand the separation you feel. I know how crual and unjust the world can be. I am with you.

Romans 8:35–39 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Another statement I hear in these moments is “God has a plan.” We can’t know what it is but we know he has one.

God does have a plan, and we can know what it is. God has a plan of redemption and resurrection that brings us hope past this life. Through the sacrifice of His Son and to all those who believe, He will restore in his glory once more.

When Shane and Jacquelyn told Zay about his second brother passing away He said, “Well, I will just wait and see Shiloh and Zacheriah in heaven when we get there.” Isiah has found the hope of the Lord. Out of the mouth of babes the Lord speaks.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Without God there is no hope. The world is a cruel, unfair, mean place that takes life and gives nothing in return.

With God there is hope. The world is still a cruel, unfair, mean place but Jesus has overcome the world and will restore all things.

The real question is are you without hope in this world or have you placed your hope in the God who loves you.

David starts the Psalm with an understanding about God.

Psalm 139:1–4 ESV

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

David ends the Psalm with a challenge of his own heart.

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

This is my challenge and comfort to you today. The only comfort we can find in this life.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.