A Father to the Fatherless

A Father to the Fatherless

Have you ever considered how often the Bible talks about taking care of the fatherless and the disadvantaged of society? It seems God has a special compassion and protective instinct regarding those not able to fend for themselves, who are often taken advantage of in today's society!

Here are some descriptions of God's heart: "You shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child" (Exo 22:22), Deuteronomy 24:17 "You shall not pervert the judgment ... of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge" (Deut 24:17), and "A father of the fatherless, and a judge (on behalf) of the widows, is God in his holy habitation" (Psa 68:5)

In the words of the New Testament as well, this describes the way God expects us to watch out for each other. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction ..." (James 1:27).

So the church should be involved in caring for those less able to care for themselves.

And the church is us as individuals.

What are we individually doing to help these less-advantaged ones in our midst?