“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
Psalm 68:5
All followers of Jesus have been adopted into the family of God (John 1:12; Eph. 1:4-5). We were helpless and vulnerable, with no one to save us. But God.
Orphans are in that class of vulnerable people for whom God has a special heart, along with widows and immigrants (today we can add slaves to that list). Throughout the Law of Moses there are special warnings and commands regarding these people.
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
Deuteronomy 10:18
James sums up true religion in these terms.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
James 1:27
As those who have been adopted into the protection and blessing of God’s family we should have a special interest in extending God’s love to the weak and vulnerable around us. The church should lead the way in the foster care and adoption movement. Thankfully, in Tampa Bay, the church is leaning in to do just that.
Check out the list of partner churches and agencies here.
- Safe Families and Better Together help place at risk children into temporary homes to keep them from entering the foster system.
- Several agencies partner with DCF to train foster parents and support them in that calling.
- Additional organizations facilitate adoption in our region.
What all of these ministries have in common is their need for partnership and support from the local church.
How can you get involved in the movement to serve at risk children in our city?
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Romans 8:15-17
As adopted sons and daughters of God we are called to join in the sacrificial suffering of our Lord for the weak and vulnerable around us!