Comforting Children with Biblical Truth in Times of Sorrow
Comforting children in times of sorrow with biblical truth involves directing them to God's character and promises, emphasizing His presence and care amidst suffering. The Bible presents God as a refuge and strength for the afflicted, promising His presence and comfort [1].
Key biblical truths for comforting children include:
- God's Presence and Support God is with the afflicted, offering refuge and strength [1]. Passages like Psalm 46:5,7 and Isaiah 43:2 affirm God's constant presence. Christ also promises His presence, stating, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18) [1]. He supports and comforts those in distress, as seen in 2 Timothy 4:17 and Matthew 11:28-30 [1].
- God's Compassion and Pity The Lord is depicted as a Father who pities His children in their affliction [8]. He "sees trouble and grief" and helps "the victim and the fatherless" (Psalm 10:14) [2]. This divine compassion is a source of comfort, as God Himself comforts His people "as one whom his mother comforteth" (Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 66:13) [1, 7].
- The Hope of Deliverance and Rest For those who are grieving, the Bible offers hope of deliverance and rest. God delivers the afflicted (Psalm 34:4,19) and preserves them [1]. For believers, death is described as a "sleep in Christ," a blessed gain that leads to peace, hope, and Christ's presence [5]. This truth can be particularly comforting when children face the death of a loved one, knowing that God is with them even in death (Psalm 23:4) [5].
- The Importance of Truth and Repentance While comforting, it is also important to guide children toward truth and repentance, especially when sorrow stems from sin or disobedience. The greatest joy for a parent is to see their children "walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4 KJV) [3]. Repentance, which involves a change of heart and turning to the Lord, is crucial, as God is merciful and compassionate [9].
Parents are encouraged to instruct children in the ways of God and train them judiciously [6]. When children face sorrow, the duty of believers is to pray for them, sympathize, pity, and comfort them [4]. This comfort should be rooted in the biblical understanding of God's character and His promises to His people [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Psalms “But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. -- Psalms 10:14”
- King James Version “[KJV] 3 John 1:4 — I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Saints, The — A sleep in Christ -- 1Co 15:18; 1Th 4:14. Is blessed -- Re 14:13. Is gain -- Php 1:21. Is full of Faith. -- Heb 11:13. Peace. -- Isa 57:2. Hope. -- Pr 14:32. Sometimes desired -- Lu 2:29. Waited for -- Job 14:14. Met with resignation -- Ge 50:24; Jos 23:14; 1Ki 2:2. Met without fear -- 1Co 15:55. Precious in God's sight -- Ps 116:15. God preserves them to -- Ps 48:14. God is with them in -- Ps 23:4. Removes from coming evil -- 2Ki 22:20; Isa 57:1. Leads to Rest. -- Job 3:17; 2Th 1:7. Comfort. -- Lu 16:25. Christ's presence. -- 2Co 5:8; Php 1:23”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:13: As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you,.... Though ordinances are means, and ministers are instruments of comfort, God is the sole efficient cause of it; and very wonderful it is that he should condescend to administer it, since he is an immense and infinite Being, the high and lofty One, possessed of all perfections, and yet deigns to revive the spirit of the humble and contrite; since he is the Maker of heaven and earth, and all things, and those he comforts are dust and ashes; and especially since they have sinned against him, and rendered themse”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 103:12: Like as a father pitieth his children,.... When in any affliction, disorder, or distress: the Lord stands in the relation of a Father to his people; they are his children by adopting grace, through the covenant of grace with them; by a sovereign act of his own will he puts them among the children, predestinates them to the adoption of children; and sends his Son to redeem them, that they might receive it, and his Spirit to bear witness to their spirits, that they are his children; and towards these he has all the affections of a tender parent. So the Lord pitieth ”
- Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 2:13: 2:13 One means of showing grief in the ancient world was to tear one’s clothing (Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; 2 Kgs 19:1). • tear your hearts: In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will. God’s people were to go beyond external demonstrations of repentance to repent inwardly—to change their orientation, priorities, and attitudes. This could only happen if they would return to the Lord. • for he is merciful and compassionate . . . and filled with unfailing love: The people’s only hope was in the merciful character of the Lord (see also Exod 34:6-7; Num 1”