Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself untained from the world.
[James 1:27]
For years, James 1:27 has tugged on my heart because of the care we should have for widows and orphans.
But why?
That question has plagued me, not because I don't agree but because there has to be a reason Jesus talks about them so much. I know God's heart breaks for them because of their pain and loneliness, but I know that's not the only reason.
He wants us to learn from them.
Orphans and widows have voids that other people do not, longing for them to be fulfilled.
They allow God to be their Protector, as a parent or husband would guard their lives with his.
[Matthew 10: 26-33]
They allow God to be their Provider, as a parent or a husband would provide for their daily needs.
[Matthew 6:25-34]
They allow God to be their Best Friend, as a husband would be to his wife.
[Isaiah 54:4-6]–For the Maker is your husband
See, we think we have it all together, when in reality, the orphans and widows are the ones we should learn from. They have God's role figured out.
So what's stopping us?
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.
[Psalm 68:5]
