Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 20, 2018
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22-23
In 2005, as I packed my luggage to travel to Africa where I would minister to orphans with Buckner Orphan Care International, I was filled with anticipation.
Before I departed, one of my friends prayed, “God, please help Shana connect with just one child.” The Lord answered with a bubbly, six-year-old named Edith whose smile could light up the darkest African night. She didn’t need to speak English, and I didn’t need to speak Swahili. We spoke with our eyes and our hands and through laughter—which translated into the language of love.
During our last day together, our ministry team prepared to say goodbye to Africa, the orphanage staff, and the children. As the kids loaded their belongings onto the bus, I noticed little Edith carrying two five-pound packs, one on her back and another on her front. She trudged along, grunting under the weight. I ran to catch her.
“Edith! Edith! Let me help!” I expected her to immediately drop her load with the sound of my voice and wait for assistance. Instead, she looked at me, smiled, but kept walking, determined to make it to the bus without collapsing. I reached down for one of the backpacks, but she insisted on carrying them alone. I realized that this is what Edith’s life had taught her: No one is going to take care of me, so I’ll just have to take care of myself.
My heart broke. Isn’t that often the cry of a wounded child of God who believes the lie that God has been unfaithful, that He has abandoned them during their darkest hour, or that He isn’t hearing their prayers? “God, I’ve prayed and have asked for your help, but you haven’t come through. If you aren’t going to take care of me, I guess I have to take care of myself.”
Have you ever felt as Edith felt? Have you ever tried to carry the weight of a broken heart, hard times, or disappointments alone because you believed the lie that God was somehow unfaithful or that He doesn’t truly love you? Have you ever felt like an orphan?
There is comfort in John 14:18 in which Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” In the King James Version, the word for “orphans” is translated as “comfortless.” If you feel as if there’s no comfort for you, no answers, or that God has abandoned you, He wants to remind you that you’re not alone in spite of how you feel.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are always with me, and you never leave me even during difficult times when I don’t feel your presence. Thank you that I am not an orphan. I belong to you. Amen.Application
Make a timeline of your life and mark significant events on it, including difficult times, disappointments, and hardship.Related Reading
2 Timothy 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:23Post/Tweet today
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