God has not left us to wonder where babies go when they die. His Word gives us sufficient evidence that one day in Heaven, we will see our children who have passed away.
How does God view children?
Scripture indicates that God has a special care for children regardless of the circumstances of their death, their family lineage, or the spiritual conditions of their parents. That care is especially demonstrated in three passages:
1. Ezekiel 16:20-21 “And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them?”
These verses remind us that even though children are borne to sinful parents, they belong to God. He uses the possessive word my to indicate that they are His children. It is also especially helpful to note that the choice of the parents to kill the children did not affect God’s ownership of those children. They remained His despite their parents’ sinful choice.
2. Jonah 4:11 “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
This verse is especially helpful in understanding that God’s loving compassion extends not only to infants in the womb but also to young children and individuals with mental disabilities. God makes a very specific statement in the form of a question to say that He takes special pity on those who have not mentally developed enough to be able to distinguish between their right hand and their left. This characteristic of God helps gives hope to the parent who has lost an infant in the womb, a young child, or a disabled child or adult. God has special compassion for those loved ones!
3. Jeremiah 19:4 “Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents”
I include this verse because of God’s particular designation for children. He doesn’t call them heathens or pagans. Instead He calls them innocents! This indicates that His grace has been applied to those who are unable to determine right from wrong. What a special designation here that is easy to miss!
God’s care for children is further illuminated in the Gospels, where we read about Christ’s demonstrations of love towards children. In Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, and Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus is seen lovingly calling children to Himself and embracing them.
It is extremely hard to read all these passages and not conclude that God has bestowed a special grace, love, and care upon HIS children, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their life and death.
What can we learn from David’s example?
After David’s infant son dies, his servants are surprised that David stops fasting and weeping. David responds to them, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:22-23).
Some have said that David’s statement “I will go to him” simply meant that he would join his son in the grave. But that is no comfort! He was encouraged enough to want to worship, clean up, and eat! So what comforted him? David knew that he would be in heaven forever after death (Ps 23:6), and he believed his child was now in Heaven for the rest of eternity, concluding then that he would one day see that child again. What hope and comfort!
What are some theological reasons to consider?
I must confess that I have often yearned for a clear, distinct verse that simply said something like, “Be not troubled, do not fear: your little ones are in heaven with me right now!” Though we don’t have a verse like that, we aren’t left without anything to hold onto. In fact, the longer I live, the more I realize I have something even stronger to hold onto—the character of God. Scripture clearly teaches us that God is just, loving, gracious, and full of mercy. That means the following:
God is too just to allow children or individuals without the mental capacity to know right from wrong to go to hell.
God is too loving to allow children who die in the womb due to health or the sinful choices of others to go to hell.
God is too gracious to allow children who are unable to make willful choices to sin yet to go to hell.
God is too merciful to allow the choices or circumstances of others to determine the eternal destiny of a child.
In the absence of a clear verse, we can hold tightly to the very character and attributes of God.
In conclusion
Although I could share much more on this topic, and years of pastoring have given me many scenarios I would love to bring to this discussion, I’ll try to sum everything up with just a few helpful sentences.
If you are reading this with the knowledge that you made a choice to abort your baby, please know that your sin is forgivable and God loves your child, despite your choice.
If you are reading this with the concern that God took your child because He didn’t think you would be a good parent, please know that there is no record in Scripture that God has ever done that. Don’t live with the unsettling conclusion that your child was taken because you were a failure.
If you are reading this with great grief over the loss of your little one—perhaps from a recent loss or from many years ago—,please know that God is a comforter and asks you to draw near to Him in your grief. Your grief doesn’t unsettle God. He loves you and your child, and that love for you both will never change.
God loves you and children! “Jesus Loves Me” is a simple song we have often designated as a children’s song, but it is good for all of us, regardless of our age. Think about these phrases from the song: Little ones to Him belong! Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
Rest in the love of God today!
