Do you know people in need? Have you ever encountered and orphan? How many widows do you know? Have you known someone who was left desolate? Do you know someone who has lost everything they own? Have you known someone who was wrongly imprisoned?
I’m sure most of us either currently know of or has known someone who has been in need. We may have been in need ourselves. Having been visited an orphanage several years ago, it breaks your heart to see the young children. It is especially heartbreaking to hear the cries of an infant.
Widows have a different set of needs than orphans, though both have been abandoned in one form or another. A widow may have a retirement and savings to live on. What they lack is companionship.
Those who have lost everything, left desolate have yet another set of needs. They typically need furniture, clothing, food, and a place to stay. But they also need emotional support. The feeling of having lost everything can be crushing.
We have heard stories of someone having been wrongfully imprisoned. But the Psalmist is talking about those who are imprisoned for doing good, those who are following God. It is persecution. Though we may not know of anyone specifically, there are thousands in this situation around the world today.
The Psalmist states that God provides for all these people. However, that provision may not come in this life, rather it is a promise of eternity with God where these situations will no longer exist. We all have eternity to look forward to. In fact, eternity is the only sure thing we can count on.
I pray we all look about us to help those in need. I pray we remember God provides. I pray each one of us continually look forward to an eternity spent with God. Help the needy. Provide companionship. Seek God in all situations. Look forward to eternity. Trust in God.
Psalm 68:5-6
Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious live in a parched land.
Marty Pressey 