Remarks From the Reverend

Author’s Note: This is the twelfth in a series of devotionals from Psalm 146

“The LORD...relieves the fatherless and widow...” – Psalm 146:9b

This month we go back to our look at Psalm 146, as we consider the reasons that we are to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob. In this second part of verse 9 the eighth reason is given to reassure our hearts that the Lord God of Jacob is the only one worthy to put our trust and hope in, and not in ourselves, and any other person or object.

We are to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob because “the Lord . . . relieves the fatherless and widow . . .” Just as with the stranger, the Lord cares for the fatherless and widow. He is a father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow.

The family structure is a part of the creation order; to be “fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Elsewhere, The Lord said that it’s not good that a man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). It is also not good that a woman be alone; for the woman was made for the man. Further, it is especially not good for a child to be without a God-fearing parent or both parents. Yet, today many are striving to undermine and subvert the family structure ordained by our God and Creator, rebelling against Him. The ungodly think they can do a better job than God as they ignore His commandment to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Hence, we see the importance that both the widow and the fatherless need extra attention because of their situations. It’s appointed that God’s people, the church, help them as a testimony of His goodness and grace to help the fatherless and relieve the widow of her burden by providing help for her, as the Lord provides the resources to do so; if not in whole, at least in part (Acts 6:1).

On the other hand, widows also have a responsibility. First Timothy 4:3-16 distinguishes between real widows who serve the Lord and wanton widows who have left the faith to follow the pleasures of the flesh, rather than remarrying so they don’t fall into condemnation. Wanton widows are called to repent and turn to their only Savior Jesus Christ, asking Him to provide a godly man so they are not alone. In the meantime, they are to rest in the Lord’s watch care over them.

This leads us to another side of this verse. The fatherless and widow can be understood in a spiritual sense. The spiritual “fatherless and widow” would be those outside of Christ, outside the household of God not having been brought into the fold of the Great Shepherd and into His covenant Kingdom of grace. They are helpless to help themselves, separated from God our Father and Jesus Christ, the bridegroom, because of sin. Held under the bondage of sin they are under the delusion they are their own god and don’t need God; much less, Jesus Christ!

They are blinded to their need for the Lord to be their father and husband, spiritually speaking. It is he who is their only helper, their provider, their protector; their only Savior. He is the One who relieves the fatherless and widow by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, in the message of the cross and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Whether the need is material or spiritual, or both, the Lord God of Jacob will relieve the helpless ones, ones without hope, according to His mercy and abounding grace. He will be their Father; He will be their husband; a help in time of their need, in their time of suffering, especially at the hands of wicked people and evil doers during the turbulent times that are looming ahead.

It is because the Lord God of Jacob relieves the fatherless and widow, like you and me, in this way that we can, with unwavering faith, put our trust and hope in Him, in Him alone. Are you fatherless and a widow without Jesus Christ? Won’t you this day repent of your sin and by faith come to Him who by grace alone saved you and will deliver you in your hour of need? Won’t you put your trust in Him alone for all your needs for He cares for the fatherless and widow, who seek their help from Him – for today is the Day of Salvation for all who come to Him in repentance and faith in Him alone. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross obtained on behalf of sinners the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, salvation and having been raised from the dead three days later secured everlasting life in the new heavens and the new earth, forever! “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) You can be assured He will for all who, by faith alone, are in Christ Jesus our Lord, the only Savior of sinners, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Eternal Incarnate Lord of Glory!

Rev. Richard Stetler, of Hartley, is the CEO and founder of Reformation Gospel Ministries. Visit http://www.reformationgospelministries.org for more information.