When we look throughout the world to see who is often at the bottom rungs of society, who have it the most difficult, we will often see the orphans and widows. Those children who have either no parents or whose fathers are gone, and the women who are raising children alone because their husbands are dead or who have left them, are often the most destitute. This was especially true in the days before the modern social service agencies that many countries have today. Unless their father or late husband left them a fortune, they were doomed to be destitute. Even today there are many who find themselves down at the bottom with no help, nowhere to turn to, no one who can or is willing to help them. What are they to do? Who can they turn to? Our psalm for this week answers this question, showing us who is our help, no matter what our situation is.
In the days of the Bible, and in fact until sometime in the 19th century, if both of a child’s parents died, leaving them an orphan, his fate was rather grim. Unless there was a relative or some kind-hearted and well-off neighbor willing to take them in and train them to be an apprentice, they were doomed to wander the streets, beg, or possibly be taken in as a servant or slave. The fate of a widow was equally, if not more grim. If she was young and pretty she might hope to be able to remarry, especially if she didn’t have any children. If she wasn’t young or pretty, or if she had several children, unless her husband left her with a lot of money, her prospects were not good. If the widow had an adult son who would care for her, that was good. If not …… Today women can work in just about every occupation they wish, but not that long ago there were very few ways any woman was permitted in society to earn her keep.
In pagan societies these unfortunates, the widow, orphan, and those whose fathers or husbands deserted them, were left to beg and perhaps starve to death. This is where Yahweh shows Himself different from the false, pagan gods, which are in truth no gods at all. He has stated in so many numerous places in His Word, the Bible, that He cares for the widows and orphans (vs. 5-6). As stated here in this psalm, Yahweh is a father to the fatherless, and a defender of widows. Only in Him is there hope for orphans, widows, and all who are alone and are disadvantaged.
God is a father to not only those who literally are without a father, but also to everyone who has never known a father’s love. There are and have been countless people whose fathers might have walked out and abandoned the family, or who perhaps were there physically, but never bothered to spend any time or interest in their families. The idea of a loving or attentive father is alien to them. There are also the countless children who have parents who are physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive to them. For them father is someone to be afraid of. As they are being beaten and abused their hearts cry out to God, and we can be sure that He takes notice. These may not be literal orphans, but God has a special care and love for them, as well.
Scriptures say that Yahweh cares for the widows, whether elderly after years of marriage, or younger one’s whose husbands have been tragically taken earlier. I also believe that this would include, just like with the children, those women who have been abandoned by their husbands, and those husbands also abuse them. God promises that He will be a type of husband to these (Isaiah 54:5-8). Especially in days of the past, there were no options available for these women and children. Both then, and today, their hope can only be found in the Lord Jesus.
When we turn to Jesus we can know His protecting love. He promises His children, those who have called upon Him for salvation, that He will load us with His benefits, His blessings, each and every day (vs. 19). Right now you may feel that you have a load to carry, but it sure isn’t one of blessings. It is a load of cares, problems, and worries. When we feel the heavy weight of our burdens, we can know that God has offered to take that care (I Peter 5:7). We need to give that load to Him, so He can load us with the blessings He has promised.
In times of trouble, no one is closer than the Lord Jesus is for a Christian. We don’t have to struggle on our own with fears and worries. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). When we feel lonely and burdened, we can turn to the Lord Jesus, who gave His life on the cross to reunite us with God and bring salvation to us.
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