Being a widow must be very hard. I truly feel for every person who has lost their spouse because of a death in the family. This can be a man or woman who is now left behind. This bears many burdens that are heavy, especially with children involved also. Therefore, when we try to understand what’s happening in the life of the widow, we will treat them with the utmost respect. However, Satan doesn’t want us to honor these people, but to cause them more grief and pain because of our words and actions. It is because of this God gave a warning to such people. “ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” (Exodus 22:22-24) This warning is still relevant in our times today, for being kind and helping widows is our responsibility as a Christian. Love the Lord by honoring and respecting widows.
Paul instructed every Christian and said, “honour widows that are widows indeed.” (1 Timothy 5:3) To honor the woman who lost their husband, as well as a man who lost his wife, we can bring them food or cookies. We can volunteer to do service around their house or yard. We can come to their house and talk with them, while crying with them also. We can pray with them and also ask others to help pray for them. James also said, ”Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) Many people ask what it means to be pure and undefiled in God’s sight. And we have the answer right here. #1, we visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and #2, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. I’ve spoken about number 1 in this message. As for number 2, by way of the Holy Spirit our actions are different then those of the world. These two things will keep us in God’s right standing. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us to learn to be selfless in this very prideful and selfish world we live in. Most people just care about themselves and could care less about people who are in need. Lord, why is it that Pastors hardly ever mention the needs of widows in churches today? Why is it is hard to know their circumstances after they have lost so much? It doesn’t have to be a huge broadcast, but at least a message sent to the pastors, elders, evangelists, and prayer warriors. It would be so amazing, God, to see people in numbers administering to people who have lost their spouse because of death. As for me, I love to visit my stepmother, who is a widow. Back in 2015, my dad died and it has been very hard on her since then. Lord, continue to be with her and comfort her. It has been seven years since my father passed, but I will never forget Him, nor will my siblings and stepmother. You know exactly where he is now, Lord. Give my stepmother peace, knowing he is in a better place. I love You, Lord. I praise You. Amen.
