Psalm 18:1-6 (NKJV) I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Dedicated to the memory of Ian Matthew Fuller
I’m at a hospital writing this. Next door is a young couple about to deliver their baby son who they found out today… is no longer alive.
There is deep sorrow and sadness. There are more than enough tears. There is pain. There is the anguish that accompanies the death of a child. A baby. A son. Already named, already known through the wonder of ultrasound. A crib and baby clothes are waiting for him in the nursery of what would have been his loving home. The pain of death. The sorrow that accompanies loss. The grief of the suffering.
But there is something missing in the room.
There is something different…
Something that makes this heart-wrenching scene opposite of what you would expect. There is no despair. There is no despondency. There is no hopelessness. No anger. No bitterness.
The mother lovingly smiles in genuine gratitude at each concerned visitor even while she is in the midst of the cruelty of birthing a child who has already left this life. She is pleasant and gracious and beautiful. And yes, she cries. And tears stream down her face.
The father of this baby boy strokes his wife’s hair and gently embraces her hand with deep love and concern. No doubt he is suffering intensely; but for now he sacrifices his welfare for others; he is strong for his wife and sincerely responds to each person who has come to visit while never allowing his attention to be drawn from his bride for very long.
In this room, there is love instead of anger; peace instead of bitterness; hope instead of despair. There is gentleness, care and the mutual sharing of grief as if every person who enters the room willingly takes on their portion of the suffering… and would take it all on their behalf if they could.
It is a room overflowing with loving friends and family, with prayer and sacrifice. In that room is the safety of a common bond; the unspoken camaraderie and comfort of a mutual destiny. In that room is a loving Savior tangibly soothing, comforting and instilling quietness in a parent’s broken heart.
For God’s children alone, there is no hopelessness or despair, even in the most agonizing of circumstances. God cares for His own.
He will comfort us in our hour of need.
- Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- Psalm 119:50 (NKJV) This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
He will strengthen us when our strength is gone.
- Psalm 27:14 (NKJV) Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
- Psalm 119:28 (NKJV) My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
- Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
He gives us hope in hopeless situations.
- Psalm 38:15 (NKJV) For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
- Psalm 71:14 (NKJV) But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
- Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
He bathes us with peace when despair threatens to overwhelm us.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV) Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
- Psalm 29:11 (NKJV) The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
God is faithful to care for His own. There is no circumstance, tragedy, or agony that He is not able to see us through. We may call, and He will answer.
Psalm 50:15 (NKJV) Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Lord, what a privilege and honor to have You watch over us in our darkest hours. How thankful we are that we need not be afraid or despair over any thing that life can throw at us. Glory to God. Amen.