Topic: Father to the fatherless
Contributor: Har Lee John
Date: June 2008

During our recent mission trip to India, we went to spend some time with the children at the Rehoboth Girls' Orphanage. I had not been to an orphanage before and perhaps neither have many Singaporeans. Hence this visit was really special.

The Bible reveals to us that our God is "a Father to the fatherless , a defender of widows..." ( Ps 68:5-6 ) And in Psalm 27:10, David makes the declaration that even though his mother and father may forsake him, the Lord will always receive him!

Ps 139:1-6 further tell us that God our Father is not like any human father. He knows His children inside out and there is no way we can hide anything from Him. He knows everything we do or fail to do; He sees us whether we are working or resting; He knows what we are going to say even before we speak; and He is near and all around us protecting us with His power. Indeed the psalmist exclaims that God's knowledge of us is too deep, and beyond human understanding.

He created every part of us, when He put us together in our mother's womb. When our bones were being formed, carefully put together and we were growing secretly the womb, He knew us and He saw us before we were even conceived (Ps 139:13-15). How awesome!

These passages in Scripture offer so much comfort and hope for those who have come to know the love of God the Father. I thanked God for these reassuring words as we mingled those few days with the girls at the orphanage who have a chance to hear about the love of God. Personally, I felt helpless and unable to completely connect with the children. I don't pretend to understand how they felt, or what they missed. I felt my limitation and my inadequacy to meet any of their needs. But a song we sang for them became very poignant and meaningful in the circumstance, and it was a great encouragement to me:

"I love you with the love of the Lord; yes, I love you with the love of the Lord.

I can see in you the glory of my King. And I love you with the love of the Lord."

I felt some strange comfort for them and for myself, singing those words over and over again. The truths in the words ministered to me and I hope they did the same for the children. God, thank You for being a Father to the fatherless!

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