Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 14:18, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
Background
For the first few years of elementary school, we lived close enough so that I was able to walk to school. I did have to cross a huge intersection, one that would strike horror into the hearts of parents today, but that was a different time back then. Also coming to my school, but arriving together on a bus, was a large group of kids that lived at a place known as the Methodist Home. These kids were the local orphans. My memory of them is filled with emotion, painfully clear yet fuzzy at the same time. I recall thinking of them differently than I thought of myself or my friends from my apartment. And even though my home life was less than ideal, I felt sorry for these children who lived in a place without a mom or a dad. But I cannot remember a single face of one those kids, nor do I have a memory involving an encounter with any of them. I just have this familiar pit in my stomach as I think about the kids from the orphanage, the ones who would never have a father or a mother come to them.
Application
The old Methodist Home is no more. Years ago the program changed into more of a foster care system. The fields where the kids would play are covered with condominiums. Like I said, that was a different time back then. But what hasn’t changed is God’s presence with us, His children. At the hour when His disciples became convinced that Jesus was truly going away, He comforted them by promising the Comforter. He would not leave them as spiritual orphans, to face the onslaught of persecution all alone. He would not send them out to grow His family without being there by their side. It was an awesome promise back then, and it remains one today. And though times were also different centuries ago, there remain no orphans in the family of God. We have a Father who loves us, and He is with us, to help us cross that busy street or affect that lonely adult. Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God.
Charge
As we seek Him today, delight in your position among the family of God. Ask God for more to be added.
Author – Rich Holt | BCWorldview.org
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