ORPHAN

THURSDAY 21st SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Text: John 14:18 

I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you

While Merriam-webster defines an orphan as a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents, the scripture covers a a wider meaning. An orphan according to the scripture could even be a 78 year old man, and not necessarily one without parents.

 *An orphan in the Bible is not just a minor. Anyone that is not enjoying the  Fatherhood of God is an orphan.* 

Jesus promised not to leave His grown-up disciples as orphans. In this case, he wasn't referring to minors but adults. 

This utterance of Jesus revealed that grown up adults can also be orphans. 

Jesus made this statement because He had provided His disciples a proper, effective and efficient parental privileges for the period of the three years He was with them.

Under His leadership, Jesus' disciples had enjoyed divine coverings, divine protection, deliverance; supernatural provisions, divine health, and miraculous supplies. They enjoyed lots of privileges like a child should from his rich and caring parents. But don't forget, these are grown up adults with families. At least the bible recorded that Jesus visited Peter's house and healed his mother-in-law of fever. (Mathew 8:14-15).

While Jesus began to tell His disciples about His sufferings, death and departure from the earth, they began to think and feel like orphans.

Jesus interrupted their feelings and thoughts by saying to them: *"I will not leave you comfortless (Orphans), I will come to you."* 

He gave them two concrete promises:

1. He promised not to leave them comfortless. Another word for this comfortless is orphan. Indeed, an orphan is one without comfort in this world.

2. He promised to come to them.

I want to let you know this day that Jesus will not leave you comfortless. He will certainly come to comfort you. You have a real Fatherhood and Motherhood in God. (Isaiah 49:15). He truly cares for you much more than your earthly Father and Mother. The reason you don't see His care and love, is because you are not willing to receive them, you don't believe Him or you think you are old and big enough to take good care of yourself by yourself. 

*Don't ever feel too big or too old where God is concerned. Always humble yourself under Him as a child.* 

Always remember that you will  never outgrow staying under the Fatherhood of God, you are still His child, no matter how old you are.

 *Bible  Reading :* 

Luke 15:11-24

 *PRAYER FOCUS* 

1.) Father God, I am  sorry for how I have been neglecting your Fatherhood.

2.) Father God,  please grant me the grace to open my heart receive your love and care as a true Father.