Fathers’ Day for Orphans

This week many unseen orphans will write Fathers’ Day cards to the man who not only gave them life but lives in their home, works hard from 9-5, and gives them the occasional hug.

What is an unseen orphan?

Consider James 1:26-27, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 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.

We understand what an orphan is by its common pairing with “widows” (Psalm 68:5). Throughout the Bible we see the description of God as the Father or the fatherless and Protector of widows. Why do they get particular attention?

We find the answer to both of our questions by noticing the commonality of the “orphan and widow”, that is that they are people without a man in their life.

But let us dial in and tighten down the bolts on what the Bible means by a man, it is not merely a male, but instead a God Fearing Male, namely: a godly husband, godly father.

In short, I argue that widows and orphans are not only those who have lost a man by death, though that certainly is a group in the larger conversation. But to the point at hand there are many homes in which women live with a husband, yet without a husband who fears God. This week many children will write notes and celebrate a man called father who is not instructing them and training them to follow God. This latter group is the unseen orphan. It is a child whose life is void of a godly man in the position of father.

At times sinful actions will be called “practical atheism” by pastors, for each moment we sin we are acting as though there is not God. So also in the matter at hand, a child without a father leading them toward The Father is a “practical orphan”.

I write of this in brief because we live in a day when this sort of orphanhood and widowhood is a plague of the truest and felt sort.

This Fathers’ Day week, obey James 1:28 by praying for the husbands and fathers that you know who are feeding the bellies of their family while neglecting their souls. Pray for the immature men who love Jesus yet need to be trained to love their wives and children. Pray for the salvation of the fathers who have yet to come to The Father by repentance of sin and faith toward Christ.

All children need a godly father; Pray to the “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows.” (Psalm 68:5)