Orphans – Close to the Heart of God
The Bible, the very word of God, is not silent about the Lord's passion about and love for orphans. As adopted sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, our attention is directed toward orphans. Not only are we to take note of them, but we are exhorted time and time again to act on behalf of the fatherless.
Though not as exhaustive as it could be, the below list of Scripture's mention of orphans is comprehensive. I encourage every person to read these over carefully and consider God's heart for the orphan and how He is calling you to participate in His plan to care for orphans today.
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 right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
– Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
– Psalm 68:5 (NIV)
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
– Psalm 82:3 (ESV)
Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
– Exodus 22:22-23 (ESV)
He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.
– Deuteronomy 10:18 (NKJV)
Do not deprive the alien or 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)
In light of God's sincere love and care for orphans and the oppressed, America World's Orphan's Ticket Home campaign seeks to make it possible and simple for people to help provide care for orphans, ranging from providing practical needs, to helping them to become eligible for their family through adoption.
Think through: What can you do today? What is God calling you to do?
In Him,
Jason West, Director of Development