King David and his wife had a gravely ill newborn. In desperation, David did what any God-fearing parent would do: he bombarded Heaven with prayers. He rejected all creature comforts. His advisers urged him to eat, but he wouldn’t even do that. The King’s period of grief began while the baby was still alive. Ultimately, David was informed of the infant’s death. Then he did something not every parent would do: he got up, took a bath, dressed in clean clothes, went to the house of the Lord, and worshipped.

And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not.

II Samuel 12:17

Puzzling reaction? Not when you consider that David was likely comforted by knowing he’d see his son again. He was confident the infant would spend eternity with the Lord – and with his child.

When you have occasion to be beside someone watching their child fight a mortal illness, the only comfort you can offer them is God’s eternal promised love for children. Encourage them to do as David did, and examine their own mortality and relationship with the Lord. Pray, too, for the children and families of your nation’s leaders…that they would find the God in whom David could trust in tragedy.

Recommended Reading: II Samuel 12:15-24