Safe in the Arms of God is a small book that ought to be on every pastor’s bookshelf. Indeed, it should be on every Christian parent’s bookshelf.

With a subtitle of “truth from heaven about the death of a child”, the author addresses the issue of the eternal state of children who die early in life. One would be hard-pressed to think of a more emotional issue, at least for those that have experienced such a tragedy.

Within Christianity, there is much misinformation on the subject. People rely on emotions for assurance instead of God’s Word. Other people rely on a misunderstanding of election or baptism to get their answers.

To answer the question, we cannot turn to how we think it should be. Our answer can come only from Holy Scripture.

With his typical clarity and insight, Dr. MacArthur takes the reader to the Bible to discover biblical answers to very hard questions. He also quotes men of excellence from the past – Calvin, Hodge, and Spurgeon – and shows that his position is both biblical and consistent with historic evangelical Christianity.

Included are stories of parents who have lost children. This is no dry-eyed book. If you are not moved by what is written, I would question the state of your heart.

Perhaps the most instructive part of the book is when Dr. MacArthur addresses Jesus’ response to children. From the mouth of the Savior Himself, the One who loves children more than any of us, come the words

Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matt. 19:14, NASB)

Buy this book, or borrow it – but read it. Have an extra on-hand at church should a fellow saint (God forbid) lose a little one. I think you’ll rejoice, as I did, at the incredibly good news found in God’s Word on this heart-wrenching subject.