Why Does God Allow Innocent Children to Die?

innocent child
Photo by Rhendi Rukmana

The innocent children are supposed to enjoy long life on Earth. These young ones are supposed to live long and grow old to appreciate life. But why does God allow these innocent ones to die?

When an innocent child dies, the people who love him or her, especially his or her parents, siblings, and grandparents, feel and experience the most painful thing in life.

Even the people who are not close to the child will feel incredible sadness when they know the death of such a child. This is because an innocent child does nothing wrong in this world that can hurt anyone. But he or she only brings pure love, joy, and laughter to anyone who is close to him or her.

Painful and regretful as it is, but we have to accept the truth that there is a great reason beyond our normal comprehension why the Lord allows an innocent child to die.

Here are some verses in the Bible that can enlighten and comfort us in the midst of our pain and sorrow:

1. Our life and breath are in the hands of God.
It is God who gives us life. It is He who also takes it back, not the disease, calamity, accident, or cruel humans. Hence, when a child dies, let us surrender him or her to the Lord. Let us remove the hatred and bitterness in our hearts. Let us fill it with love, peace, hope, and faithfulness instead.

“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:10 ESV

2. God recognizes the children as the greatest.
If there are people who are worthy of the kingdom of God, it is the children because they are pure in heart. And unlike adults, their minds and souls are not yet corrupted with the sins of the world.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:1-4 ESV

3. Innocent children know how to love truly.
God allows innocent children to die because they may have already fulfilled the two greatest commandments in the Bible, that is, to love God and to love our neighbors. If there are people who can love purely, they are definitely the children.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 22:36-40 KJV

4. Children, though young, may have already fulfilled the purpose of life.
God allows an innocent child to die because, though he or she may have only lived a short time on Earth, he or she has already fulfilled his duty in life, that is, to obey the Lord. As we all know, children are more faithful than adults. The latter have more doubts in their minds. When children are introduced to God, they will recognize His power and have fear in Him.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV

ALSO READ: What is the Purpose of Life according to the Bible?

5. Children are the ones who really practice a genuine religion on Earth.
The best religion in this world is about love, compassion, and purity, not about hate, pride, and corruption. And the children are actually the ones who are practicing them. God allows innocent children to die because they are the ones who are the most religious and the most worthy to inherit the kingdom of heaven.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27 NIV

6. God allows an innocent child to die to spare him or her from evil.
The mortal world is full of sins and evil. God who is a loving God allows innocent children to die to protect them and not let them suffer from the cruelty and wickedness of this world.

“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” – Isaiah 57:1 NIV

7. God has prepared a place for the children in the kingdom of Heaven.
God allows innocent children to die because they have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14 NIV

ALSO READ: How to Save Your Soul According to the Bible?

8. The spirit of a child who dies will return to God who gave it.
God allows an innocent child to die because his or her spirit will return to Him.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” – Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV

9. The death of an innocent child is only temporary.
God allows innocent children to die because such death is only temporary. They will inherit eternal life with joy, peacefulness, and glory.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4 KJV

10. God will raise them with a perfect body.
God allows an innocent child to die to raise him or her in power and glory.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 KJV

God knows best

It is indeed heartbreaking to lose someone you love, especially if she is an innocent child. It’s hard to accept and it’s difficult to move on in life when you know that you cannot already see, hear, and embrace her. However, no matter how painful and difficult it is to move on, we have to accept the truth that God has a better plan for the child.

When my only niece, who’s the only child of my sister died, the pain we felt was unbearable. She was only 7 years old then. She was a sweet and smart child. She always makes us laugh with her witty jokes. She was kind and generous to everyone – to her classmates, her neighbors, and even with strangers. Everyone loves her.

When she passed away, our dreams for her were shattered. Our motivation to go on in life had fallen. But we have to be stronger and more spiritual. We have to accept the truth that God’s plan was better than our plans and dreams for her. There is no better future for anyone than to inherit the kingdom of God and have everlasting life.

We may still cry up to this day when we miss her, but deep down in our hearts and soul, we are already happy to know that she is already in a better place with God – a better place than we ever could imagine.

ALSO READ: Why Children Appreciate Life More than Adults Do

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Victorino Q. Abrugar
Vic is the founder of InspiringTips.com. He regularly writes for the site and also serves as its digital marketing strategist. Vic likes to talk about true love, meaningful life, quantum physics, spiritual growth, and more.
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Michael
Michael
July 6, 2021 2:35 am

Then why would everyone not die when still a child?

Gabriel
Gabriel
August 2, 2020 1:14 pm

But why their cause of death is terrible like accident, disease etc

jack
jack
August 15, 2019 7:57 am

praise God this is very uplifting spiritually and educating please send more.
regards
jack