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| Photo by Eastop |
A father to the fatherless . . . is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families.
Psalm 68:5–6 (NIV)
The first Sunday in November has become known as Orphan Sunday. Taking it a step further, the month of November is becoming known as Defend the Orphan month. As my family has been walking the path toward adoption over the last two years, this cause has become increasingly important to me and the plight of the orphan more poignant. However, when I sat down to write this post I still had no idea of the force with which God implores us to rally behind the orphans in our world. The Bible is full of God's heart for the orphan, beginning with us.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:4–6 (NIV)
We come to Him orphans with the destiny of heirs to the throne of the almighty God. He doesn't look at us and see a broken, destitute people for someone else to care for. He looks at us as his children, "adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ." We have been given much with this legacy from the King and thus much is expected of us.
“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8b (NIV)
“We care for orphans not because we are rescuers. We care for orphans because we are the rescued.” – David Platt (Author of Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream)
We see in the Bible God's heart for the orphan time and time again. He holds the trust of the helpless, listens to their cries, comforts them, brings them justice, speaks for them and he calls us to do the same.
The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of
orphans . . . . Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely
you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring
justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer
terrify them.
Psalm 10:14, 17–18 (NLT)
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure
justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and
helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT)
Do not deprive . . . the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
Deuteronomy 24:17–18 (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.
James 1:27 (NIV)
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause
of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the
alien, giving him food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)
Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the
oppressed and the destitute.
Psalm 82:3 (NLT)
In a perfect world there would be no orphans or couples/families left yearning, but we live in a broken world and there is work to be done. So he uses us, in little ways and big, to do that work. He gives people hearts for adoption, fostering, and orphan care.
He blesses some childless couples with an open heart for another way to create a family. Our very own Sally Pattee wrote about her journey to adoption here. He blesses some families with the desire to give kids a safe place to land for a season or a lifetime. We have adoptive and foster families in our midst that take many shapes and sizes. He calls us ALL to help in some way. Adoption and foster care may not be in God's plan for you, but contributing in some way is.
Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. In this
year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites,
foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to
eat in your towns.
Deuteronomy 26:12 (NLT)
In the book of Matthew Jesus tells his disciples about the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times. He uses parables to illustrate what the Kingdom of God will be like and what will happen on the day of judgment, indicating that those blessed by the Father with inheritance of the Kingdom will be singled out for this because, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." Matthew 25:35–36 (NLT) The disciples, confused, asked "when." Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
He tells us, plain as day, that when you care for those who cannot care for themselves you are caring for Him. Ignoring the plight of those who need our help is turning our back on Jesus. So do something! Donate diapers for the Heartland Diaper Drive - the response this year was a fraction of the response last year - it isn't too late, just talk to Amy Ames. Head over to The Forgotten Initiative to find out how to help "Bring Joy and Purpose to the Foster Care Community." Contribute to a friend's adoption fund or help them find ways to raise the money. Learn more about places like Lifesong for Orphans or Covenant Children's Homes and find a way to help them reach those children left behind.
