God’s heart for the orphan is clearly displayed throughout the Old and New Testaments. Below is a beginning list of what the Bible says about orphans. What are some other ways God shows his love for these precious children? Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite verse!
1. All Orphans Have a Father
God is the great protector and loving Father of all orphans. Psalm 68:5 says, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows, is God in his holy habitation.” He who numbers the hairs on our head will certainly not turn away from the orphan.
2. All Orphans Deserve Justice
Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.” And Psalm 10:14 says “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” Justice is a fundamental part of God’s character. He promises protection and help for those who cannot protect themselves, and he cares about righting wrongs in the lives of orphans. God invites us as his people into this holy work of securing justice for orphans.
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.” God’s people are called to actively pursue meeting the needs of orphans and a great place to start is through prayer.
Each month, Vangrace Compassion Ministries features a prayer focus child from our Care Center at God’s Village. Praying for orphans becomes much more personal when you know the face and the name of a child who has been directly impacted by the orphan crisis. Whether you are a prayer partner, an advocate, a Vangrace Compassion Ministries’ sponsor, we have great resources available to help you get involved in caring for orphans!
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.” God calls His people to specifically remember orphans in their giving.
As you consider how God may be calling you to care for orphans in their distress, take heart! He who calls you to this work will be faithful to equip you for the work he has called you to! “For the God who calls you is faithful, and He can be trusted to make it so.” I Thess. 5:24