Scripture Reading: Psalm 68:4-6, John 14:15-18, Isaiah 1:17, 1 Timothy 5:3-16, James 1:27
Throughout the Bible, the Lord shows His particular care for two groups of people often overlooked and disadvantaged—widows and orphans. In biblical times, women and children were dependent on their families to provide them with security, sustenance, and protection. If a woman found herself widowed, she was at the mercy of family members to take care of her until she was able to remarry. If her age or circumstances did not allow her to find another husband, she was often viewed as a burden to her family and community for the rest of her life. Similarly, children who were left fatherless were at the mercy of their extended family and community. In some cases, families made room for these orphans and raised them as their own. In more tragic cases, orphans were treated as second-class—abused, neglected, and exploited.
Sadly, in the thousands of years that have followed, not much has changed. There are an estimated 258 million widows around the world (United Nations) and an estimated 153 million children worldwide who are orphans (UNICEF).
The Lord does more than simply acknowledge the difficulties and longings of widows and orphans; He defends their cause. He acts as their champion, and He commits Himself to the work of establishing them in healthy families and communities where they can be known, loved, protected, and valued (Psalm 68:4–6). As His people, we are called to generously care for and show hospitality to widows and orphans. This must go deeper than a simple awareness of the orphan and widow—as the family of God, we must make room for those without the support and protection of family.
The act of making room will look different for each of us, depending on the needs around us and how the Holy Spirit leads us to help. For some, it may look like financially supporting a non-profit actively caring for widows and orphans in another part of the world. It may mean serving foster care families in our local community or becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Maybe for some of us, we can show our hospitality by cooking a meal for the single mom with young kids who lives in our neighborhood. Or maybe, for some of us, our next step is to advocate for the needs and rights of orphans in our local governments.
There are so many ways we can prayerfully care for and show hospitality to widows and orphans in our world. The key though is to do something—to actively champion the cause of people that God fiercely loves and protects. After all, our religion is not fully made by the songs we sing on Sundays or the box we check when someone asks us what our faith is or even the scriptures we can recite from memory. “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).
Written by Nicole Smithee
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11 thoughts on "Making Room for Widows and Orphans"
“Learn to do what is good.
Pursue justice.
Correct the oppressor.
Defend the rights of the fatherless.
Plead the widow’s cause.”
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What struck me today about this verse in Isaiah was how many children are fatherless and women are single (esentially widows) in the U.S. because the men are absent by choice or by incarceration.
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If your church has a single mom’s group, check in with the leader to see what the needs are of the gals, maybe you may be a source or connected to one of help (i.e. a man who could be a role model/mentor for a fatherless child).
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MARI V – praying Caleb has a safe return trip for his friendsgiving trip.
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SHERRY – praying for the Lord’s peace to fill your heart and mind as you wait you biopsy results.
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Amen. As a widow I am thankful that I have enough to care for myself and a family who loves and supports me.
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The tears starts when I saw the title of today’s devo. I’ve said that before. We study a lot of different topics and aspects of life in this community and sometimes just reading the subject brings a rush of memories, like today … my father-in-law died as my in-laws were about to retire and I thought about helping my mother-in-law for 20+ years, and then my husband’s words after her funeral when it dawned on him that he was technically an orphan; friends and family members who lost their spouses- sometimes at young ages, or that lost a parent at a young age; being responsible for the elderly relative I’ve mentioned here before, my sisters here who have and are experiencing these hard, painful losses, and the two children sleeping down the hall as we step in as sort of surrogate grandparents when their parents are called away from time to time.
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We should do what we can, sisters, praying for guidance and wisdom, and praying that resentment doesn’t take hold as others stand back and watch. That last one is hard sometimes. And then realizing there are situations around me that I’m not helping with so there are likely people fighting (hopefully) resentment towards me.
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Today’s verse on BG
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
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Reminded of the song “I’m no longer an orphan” by the recently retired Primitive Quartet. Thankful I’ve adopted and grafted into God’s family.
The chorus to the song:
Now I’m no longer an orphan.
Someone has rescued me.
My garments no longer are tattered,
My family is royalty.
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This will make you laugh, maybe even howl!
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I recently, received an official document asking me to give a reference to my … wait for it, my now ex, and his wife!
How God moves, right? And His sense of humour!
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They want to be foster parents and I, as an ex, have the front row seating on whether they are suitable, apparently!
The forms were mainly about my ex, his role as a father and how he was with the children, the older 2 were not his biologically.
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I filled out the 8 page questionnaire, actually with ease. My heart was pure and at peace as I answered the questions. I could not fault my ex, I truthfully I could not fault his person either.
When the plank of wood has been removed from your eyes to reveal something other than your feelings of dislike, interestingly, you see good. I digress! Sorry!
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BUT GOD..
Has given me the opportunity to come alongside these two, who crushed my already broken heart, in grace and kindness so they in turn, can give a warm and loving home to a child\children who need a little or big help..
I am not taking any credit for their decision to do this, I am simply thankful that I get to be a small, miniscule part of this journey of theirs, that I get to make room for them, who in turn are making room for a child.
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Singing to the Lord this morning, for His kindness and grace, love and mercy to us all..
Thank you Father God, Thank you..
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AMEN.
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Happy Monday my dears covered in warming love and hugs this very fresh day!❤️
BUT GOD..
Wow Tina. That must have taken you by surprise! So glad that you were able to see past your hurts and glorify God, even in this.
Blessings to you!❤️
Chuckling, TINA, well, ok, laughing, at God’s timing … right after your testimony of about them. His grace is sufficient! Love you! ❤️
Ironic, indeed.
Blessings to you and your week ahead. ❤️
This is such God’s timing Tina. What a testimony to His faithfulness in your life. You lived out in a big way “bless those who curse you”! And to do so joyfully and with an open heart can ONLY be God! BUT God…:)