Why?

Today is a bittersweet day for me.
A very good friend of mine is grieving the loss of her precious baby girl. While reflecting on Zoe's short but very sweet life, I begin to ask God, why?

Why does God allow for birth defects and for sweet innocent little babies to die? This isn't fair! As adults, when things happen to us, it is "understandable" as we have sinned and what we are going through may be a consequence to a sin we've committed. But little babies.....Oh Lord, this doesn't make sense.
So....I went to God, in prayer and by way of the internet(bible.com/gotquestions.org).....to try and get some sort of answer. Something that will help me to attempt to comprehend this. I thought I would share with you what I found and what has given me if not complete understanding, complete peace.

Basically, it all starts with Adam and Eve. They started the awful cycle of sin. Sin is why babies have defects or die. Not that the baby sinned or that the parents sinned. Just sin itself.

I was led to the book of Job. This entire book of the bible deals with the "why" question. God allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to Job, with the exception of killing him. It is Job's reaction that is key...."Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." Job13:15. While all of these things are happening to Job, his faith stays constant. His hope in God remains. Job didn't understand why God was allowing these things to happen to him, but he knew that God was good, just, loving and merciful, therefore he continued to trust Him.
"The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job 1:21
We may not understand why something happens, but we can rest in the fact that God is faithful and our trust should be in Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

When it comes down to it, the answer to the why question is, I don't know. We will never understand God and His ways and it is wrong for us to presume on why God allows some things to happen. We simply have to trust that God is just, merciful and loving...just like Job did... even when the evidence seems to indicate the opposite.

Sickness and disease are the results of sin. God provided the "Cure" for sin by sending his son Jesus Christ to die for us. (Romans 5:8) Once we are in heaven we will not have to deal with sickness, disease, and death. Until then, however, we do have to deal with the consequences and effects of sin itself.
We can praise God though, that He can use birth defects and other tragedies for our good and His glory.
"His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"John 9:2-3

Father God, I lift up E and B to you now. Lord that you would comfort them today and give them a peace that passes all understanding. Precious father, you are holding Zoe in your arms, she is perfect and happy there. We are selfish humans though, and want her with us here. However, we will trust you and have faith in you. Wrap this precious family up in your loving embrace and keep them close. Watch over the new addition that you are so carefully forming right now in E's womb. Give E and B peace during this pregnancy, that you will be with them every step of the way. In your beautiful name I pray, Amen.

In loving memory of Zoe Mikayla.



I hope everyone has a restful weekend!

S