"Many scripture passages that talk of caring for orphans also call us to care for widows. God consistently calls attention to the widow and the orphan and he desires that his Church give them time, resources and protection.
Some Rabbis say that the true meaning of the reference 'widow' refers to one who has lost her voice, her protector, or provider. [...]
God is calling the Church to make right this loss - to speak up and to stand in the gap for these who need a voice. We are to be a protector, a provider, and to extend ourselves to offer a helping, guiding hand to the fatherless.
In many countries the role of providing help and protection to those in need has been given over to the government. The Church has lost her place in defending these that are so important to God. Acts 6 shows us how important caring for the widow was to the early Church. The disciples were careful to select the best people to oversee this important ministry.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said "...seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them." (Acts 6:1-6)
2 Kings 4 also gives us insight into how God's people should respond when we find a widow in need. Elisha asks this widow, 'What shall I do for you?' Elisha then trusts God for a miracle, knowing that it is God's desire to provide for this woman.
A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves." So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil." Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors - empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest". (2 Kings 4:1-7)
The Church has access to the same power and provision that Elisha had to provide spiritually, physically, and emotionally for the hungry and the desperate.
Like Elisha, we can believe God for supernatural strength, power and provision when we reach out to help the widow and the orphan.
We read in Psalm 99 that God decides what is fair and just and often his ways seem counter to the wisdom of the world. In God's economy there is a high value placed on caring for the poor and the defenseless. When we reach out to help others we find ourselves helped and blessed. [...]
As we press into God's heart we feel his zeal and fire to show himself strong to those who are crying out to him. Working with the oppressed opens a doorway into the power and strength of a holy, mighty God. In this journey we can expect to see God show up to answer our prayers as he answered the prayers of Elisha and Elijah."
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Worship Song:
"Beloved",
by Tenth Avenue North
"Beloved",
by Tenth Avenue North
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