An Incomprehensible Loss

A couple in our church family lost their baby last night. She was born at 24 wks. gestation due to a placental abruption. Although initial reports and examinations were promising, something obviously went very wrong. I don't have any details beyond the fact that it actually happened. And I don't have any words to describe my own sadness for their loss. As I write, I pray my words don't appear flippant because I honestly can't wrap my mind around the sense of pain and loss they must be feeling.

Once again, it's mere seconds that change the course of our lives. But those seconds are in His hands.

There must be comfort in God's soveriegnty or I'm not even sure the cloud of pain and loss would be survivable. That our very God, the giver of life, experienced the loss of his own Son for the ultimate glory of the Lord~ what heartbreaking grief, yet what indescribable righteousness and grace.

1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints.
Selah
4. You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.
6 I said, "Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart."
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 "Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
Selah
10 Then I said, "I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might
among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77 (ESV)