Tag: widows and orphans
Treat widows with respect!
Scripture reading for September 29th: 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Timothy 5:3-5, 7-8 “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. . . .Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
God cares for hurting people and widows are mentioned often in God’s word as those who deserve attention from God’s people. Widows who have family should be cared for by family members–children and grandchildren. This pleases God and is His will and plan. In fact, if you don’t care for widows (and orphans) in your own family, God considers you worse than an unbeliever! But widows who have no one but the brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus are to receive aid from them. God’s hands are found in the members of His body, the Church! How the Church needs this instruction!
Observations for over-comers: True religion is caring for widows and orphans! Over-comers know and apply God’s instructions to their own family and God’s family! “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
From mourning to dancing!
Scripture reading for March 26th: Luke 7:11-35
God’s heart is for widows and orphans! Jesus came to show the heart of His Father to us and He used miracles to emphasize the Father’s love. In today’s reading, Jesus ministers to a widow who has lost her only son. As Jesus was visiting Nain, He came upon a funeral procession with many people mourning. This loss would be especially hard on this widow because her son represented someone who would carry on the family name and could provide for her as she got older.
“When He (Jesus) saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, “Don’t cry.” Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” They were all filled with awe and praised God.” (Luke 7:13-16a) Jesus was moved with compassion for this widow and mother. He understood all the pain and future consequences of this untimely death. His first instruction to her was to stop crying. His second command was to the dead son encouraging him to get up. Can you imagine how shocked the pall-bearers were when the dead body they were carrying sat up and began to talk!
The response to this miracle brought praise to God and great awe of God’s power and questions about Jesus Christ. Was He a great prophet, sent by God to help His people? Was He the Messiah promised by the Holy Scriptures? Even John the Baptist’s disciples were sent by John to question who Jesus really was. Jesus used the miracles and even the raising of this widow’s son as a testimony of who He was!
This miracle turned the mourning of the widowed mother and the crowd of mourners into joy and dancing! This miracle is a picture of the resurrection of all who believe. There is a time coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and arise to eternal life! (John 5:24-29) There will be great joy in heaven, with no more crying, mourning or death! (Revelation 21:3-5) We will be united with our loved ones who have believed and life eternally with our Lord in Glory! Have you responded to His call to eternal life?