Perhaps when all is said and done, beneath the anger of many adoptees is the bone-deep fear of being forgotten. Forgotten by the biological father whose name they may never know. Forgotten by the birth family who went on without them (many times, unknowingly). But most of all, forgotten by God.
As I became aware of this issue personally and shared it with fellow adoptees in our support group, eyes welled with tears. Searching for truth, I learned that far from being forgotten, the orphan is the object of God’s special care and protection. Here’s what God promises orphans, whether we are domestic or international orphans and no matter what our age.
He does what is necessary to preserve our life (Jeremiah 49:11)
He gladdens our hearts with the bounty of Providence (Dt. 24:19)
He feeds us from “the sacred portion” (Dt. 24: 19-21)
He defends the cause of the fatherless, giving food and clothing (Dt. 10:18; Is 1:17)
He hears the faintest cry of the orphan (Ex. 22:22-24)
He rescues orphans when they cry for help (Job 29:11)
He considers caring for orphans an unblemished act of worship (Jas. 1:27)
He provides what the orphan is searching for–love, pity, & mercy (Hosea 14:3)
He blesses those who provide for the orphan (Dt. 14:29)
He has a unique life plan for the orphan in history (Esther 2:15)
He strongly warns judges who issue unrighteous decress & magistrates who cause oppressive decisions against the orphan (Is 10:2; Mal. 3:5)
He is pleased when nations and people treat the orphan justly (Jer 5:28)
He will draw nigh and be a swift witness against oppressors of the fatherless (Is. 10:2)
He commands others not to remove “the ancient boundary stone” or encroach on the fields of the fatherless (Prov. 23:10)
While considering the subject of feeling forgotten, I saw a poster-sized reproduction of a U.S. commemorative stamp for those who have served our country. Two words grabbed my attention–NEVER FORGOTTEN.
That’s what I and possibly many other adoptees, foster care children, waiting children, and anyone who is fatherless need to hear.
Thank for those scriptures. It’s powerful, seeing them all together like that!
That is incredible
Friends, I am delighted to hear your responses! Finding out these truths has been life-defining for me. Everything around us changes, but not the Lord and His love for us. That is what we must cling to by faith….choosing to see the often unseen in the midst….which is our Lord Jesus.
Sherrie