Father to the Fatherless

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." - Psalm 68:5-6

Today, while celebrating the fathers in my life, my mind kept going back to the above verse. I love that God has always referred to Himself as a Father, with us as His children. I think it's the closest we can get to understand just how much He loves us. As a mom, there is nothing my children could do to make me stop loving them. Sure, they can disappoint and hurt me, but I love them still. It's crazy to think God loves us even more than that.

So, here's a legitimate question. If God is in His holy dwelling, how can He be a father to the fatherless, and a defender of widows? There are tangible needs the fatherless (orphans) and widows have. How can God meet those needs?

The answer: WE are the hands & feet of God!

"Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now." - Saint Teresa of Avila

God works through believers. He prompts them to say or do certain things. You may feel led to give money to a family in need. Or God may draw you to consider adoption. Or it may be something much simpler than that. The point is, if we are in tune with God, we will hear from Him on when to act. Whether we pay attention to those prompts or not says a lot about the condition of our hearts. 

"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed" but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:15-17)

I believe a lot of people misinterpret these verses to support a works-based salvation plan. But this is saying that works are a RESULT of our salvation through grace. It's the natural following of a saving faith in Jesus Christ. When we assume someone else will take care of it, we are choosing to ignore what God has called us to do. Not only do we miss out on blessings, but we miss out on the chance to be a powerful light to those who may never before had the chance to see faith in action.

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." - Psalm 82:3-4

The bottom line is this: If every Christian allowed themselves to be used by God, for HIS glory, and HIS plan, we would impact the world in such a HUGE, AMAZING way. But as I said in my last post...we need to be willing. Are you willing to be God's hands & feet?

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. But I'm afraid He would ask me the same question."