A father of orphans, defender of widows,
is God in His holy dwelling.  Psalm 68:6[5], TLV

Father and Defender!        If this passage feels familiar, it is because this is a theme in Scriptures. ADONAI [the LORD] is father to the fatherless and husband to the widows. However, He has made it clear that we are also responsible for their care.

Thus says ADONAI: ‘Execute justice and righteousness. Rescue the one who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.  (Jeremiah 22:3, TLV)

ADONAI protects outsiders, upholds the fatherless and the widow, but thwarts the way of the wicked.  (Psalm 146:9, TLV)

In fact, taking care of the widows and orphans should be woven into our faith:

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  (James [Jacob] 1:27, TLV)

In today’s world, I would also include single parents or foster children who are in our congregational purview. Unfortunately, many times we judge whether or not someone deserves our help. Wisdom is different than judgment. Wisdom means we seek discernment and insights from our Heavenly Father in the best way to mete out the needs around us.

If the LORD places a “widow” or “orphan” into our life, then He’ll show us how to best serve and help them. He may surprise us as to what to do. But then, He surprises us a lot, doesn’t He?

Think More About It

Have you ever been led by the Holy Spirit to help a “widow” or “orphan”? How did that turn out? Love reading your comments, even if you think them not eloquent. “Not eloquent?” to that I say, “nonsense” by the way. 😊

Praying for Israel

Why does the wicked one revile God?
He says in his heart:
“You will never require anything.”
You saw—for You see trouble and grief,
to take it in Your hand.
The victim puts his trust in You—
You are the helper of the orphan. Psalm 10:13-14, TLV

You know, it’s okay to voice our questions and concerns to God. Even sharing our doubts and fears. He knows them anyway. Believe it or not, these are the patterns of trust and relationship. As we look around us—the brutality, hopelessness, and mendacity—we can get stuck there. When that happens, we need to look away and toward our Heavenly Father. We remember His goodness and intervention and speak His promises.

So, today’s prayer prompt speaks to both the circumstances around us and His promises. Let’s land, in the end, on His promises. Amen? God bless you.