In Psalm 10, David tells about the many ways God helps various unfortunate groups of people. The last verse, Psalm 10:18, mentions the orphans (NASB). Using the old KJV Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance we find the definition for this Hebrew word - to be lonely; a bereaved person; fatherless (child), orphan.
I don’t know about you, but I found it very comforting to learn that God’s wonderful concern for young orphaned children extends to anyone who is lonely or bereaved – parents living or not!
Our family is having a crisis. I am not alone; many families are right now suffering in ways I can’t even imagine. But I am also not alone because my Heavenly Father is with me, not just now in the midst of this trouble, but always.
There hasn’t been a death, but “bereaved” is still a word that fits this situation and God, my Father, knows of my concern and that brings me great comfort. In this sense, I am "orphaned", yet I am not "fatherless" -- not by a long shot, and I am so thankful for that!
A couple weeks ago I watched Lee Strobel’s video, The Case for Faith. I was amazed to see the faith of Joni Erickson Tada. She knew her suffering had purpose and she was more than willing to endure it for however long the Lord deemed necessary because she saw the good that it was bringing.
That video was preparation for me, because now our family needs that strength of faith -- to believe that there is purpose and good to come from this crisis we find ourselves in.
The unbeliever doesn’t understand how a good God can allow suffering and evil to exist. I don’t understand how the unbeliever gets by in this life without faith in a good God because of the suffering and evil that does exist!
Our Lord Jesus Christ endured the ultimate suffering as He went to the cross and took all of the world’s sin upon Himself. The murder of this Perfect One was the ultimate evil and Satan felt sure he had the victory. But the ultimate good came from that suffering and evil – we now have the chance to be reconciled to our Maker. What grace!
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I am sorry you are going through some rough times right now. I am thankful you are falling into God and leaning on Him.
ReplyDeleteI will be lifting you up in prayer.
Blessings,
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