It is a tragedy for parents to suffer the grief and extreme hardship and emptiness at the death of a young child that they have brought in the world. This grief is also experienced by other family members and friends of the families who have lost a child. Many of God’s people have experienced this unfortunate loss. The only comfort in such a loss is that children who die before an accountable age are in a safe condition. Jesus taught His disciples a lesson on humbleness and humility in children in Matthew 18:2-6 and the text reads, “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” In this text, Jesus used the humble and innocent nature of children to illustrate to His disciples the type of character they would have to have in order to enter His Kingdom.

Equally tragic to parents when a child is lost to death, is the loss of a child at an accountable age to the devil and his devices. As I think about this subject, I am reminded of David who mourned the loss of the young child he fathered when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12) and later he mourned over the death of his son Absalom who turned against him. At the death of Absalom, David wept in grief saying, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! (2 Sam. 18:33).

This special issue contains three articles written by brother Tom Roberts. The preface in the first letter is self-explanatory and each letter is encouraging to all parents who have children who have left the faith. Brother Roberts brings many thoughts to mind as he relates the feelings and emotions of grief stricken parents whose sons or daughters have rebelled against God and their parents. We all rejoice at the return of a lost child. In the preface, brother Roberts reminds us of the parable of the lost son (Lk. 15:11-33). While there many lessons to be gleaned from this text, the joy of the father whose son was found is evident, for the father said, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Lk. 15:24). May we also have hope and rejoice when a lost child returns to their parents, but more importantly when they return to “our Father which art in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). – tgmc