4 Things the Bible Says About Orphans
Early in the Old Testament, we see how essential the care of children who have been orphaned is to God, and from the establishment of his Church in the New Testament, that priority remains evident. For your personal study, family devotional time, or small group, the following outlines specific references to what the Bible says about orphans and how God teaches us to care for them.
1. All Waiting Children Have a Father
God is the loving Father of all children who have been orphaned. Psalm 68:5 tells us, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” His aim is to show orphans mercy, care, and protection, and because these waiting children are essential to him, they should be essential to us as his Church.
2. That There Are Children Who Have Been Orphaned Is an Injustice of This World
Justice is a fundamental part of God’s character, as we are shown in the Bible. That even one child does not know the love of a family is a great injustice, and there are millions of children living in this reality.
Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
Also, Psalm 10:14 says, “But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.”
God promises protection and help for those who cannot protect themselves, and he redeems injustice through his unfailing love. He also asks us to do something about it. God invites everyone to play his or her part in working toward justice.
3. The People of God Will Care for Orphans
James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
The words of the Bible call God’s people to actively pursue meeting the needs of children who have been orphaned, and a great place to start is through prayer. Your actions matter and there are many ways you can help make a difference, whether you are a prayer partner, a fundraiser, a Show Hope sponsor, or a prospective adoptive parent.
4. The People of God Share Their Resources With Orphans
The following verse comes from a passage in Deuteronomy where God is instructing his people about tithing. Deuteronomy 14:29 says, “And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.”
People are called by God to care well for children who have been orphaned in their giving. Show Hope provides creative ways to get involved and make a difference.
As you consider how God may be calling you to care for waiting children, take heart. “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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