C. H. Spurgeon Faith’s Checkbook entry for today, the 11th day of February, 2017, is especially and painfully relevant. It was not quite 24 hours ago that a father backed his SUV over his 3 year old child at a tree farm in Vero Beach, Florida. I don’t know the family, but that didn’t prevent me from offering up my prayers for both the family and also the child.

There can be found in print and online much thought on the eternal state of children (including the unborn) who die at a young age. The bible offers us no clear answer. And I certainly do not want to delve into a theological discussion which would not be appropriate for this blog. But based on what is revealed about our God in creation, the written Word, and most fully in His Son, to me there is no question. I choose to believe that those who depart this life at a young and tender age, even though tainted by inherited sin, fall under the love and mercy of God. I will leave it at that.

I do not know this family, and therefore do not know if they are believers. But I learned this morning that an elder at our church does know him. I will eventually learn of the family’s faith and will post an update at some point. In the meantime, I ask that you pray for the Surma family in what has to be a time of profound grieving.

As for today’s Faith’s Checkbook entry, I would encourage all of us to continue to pray with great fervor for our own children as well as those close to us through family and friends.  Here is that entry:

Are the Children In?

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. (Isaiah 44:3)

Our dear children have not the Spirit of God by nature, as we plainly see. We see much in them which makes us fear as to their future, and this drives us to agonizing prayer. When a son becomes specially perverse, we cry with Abraham, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before thee!” We would sooner see our daughters Hannahs than empresses. This verse should greatly encourage us. It follows upon the words, “Fear not, O Jacob, my servant,” and it may well banish our fears.

The Lord will give His Spirit; will give it plentifully, pouring it out; will give it effectually, so that it shall be a real and eternal blessing. Under this divine outpouring our children shall come forward, and “one shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob.”

This is one of those promises concerning which the Lord will be inquired of. Should we not, at set times, in a distinct manner, pray for our offspring? We cannot give them new hearts, but the Holy Spirit can; and He is easily to be entreated of. The great Father takes pleasure in the prayers of fathers and mothers. Have we any dear ones outside of the ark? Let us not rest till they are shut in with us by the Lord’s own hand.