Orphans and Widows

June 18

(Psalm 68:5-10 NIV) “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. {6} God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. {7} When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, {8} the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. {9} You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. {10} Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.”

(Exodus 22:22-24 NIV) “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. {23} If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. {24} My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”

(James 1:27 NIV) ”Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Before Government became the lord and savior of mankind, there was the God of Scripture. Before Social Security and Aid to Dependent Children, there was Psalm 68, Exodus 22, and James 1. God’s concern for orphans and widows is made clear throughout the Bible. His heart goes out to them. He is on their side. The Lord despises, even threatens, those who would take advantage of orphans and widows. His call is not just to refrain from abuse, but to actively look after them and seek their well being. We can do this today through a variety of Christian relief programs that sponsor children, and in turn, assist the mothers who care for them. We can also do it directly through our churches. Orphans and widows number in the millions and are not difficult to find. The Christian who wants to please God will cultivate a religion that cares for orphans and widows in some way. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day