Friday, November 29, 2013

Promise for a Life Poured Out

Through Orbie for Orphans, we meet so many heroes.  These are warriors on the front lines who are caring for vulnerable children.   God has some rich promises for His people when they care for the forgotten and hurting,  like orphans and foster children.  Here's a great treasure tucked away in Isaiah 58:10-12.

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.  And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

 For orphans and foster children a terrible breach has happened - actually their worst fear has happened, the loss of their family.  The foundation of their lives is broken.  But when God leads His people to intervene, significant things happen.   When God's people evangelize, disciple and care for these children - foundations are built, breaches are repaired, children are set free!


But how sweet the promise here for those who get involved, for those who pour out their lives.  The promise is verse 10 is significant:  Even their dark times are bright because God is with them.  He is light.  Even the darkness is not dark to Him. (Psalm 139)

These folks have scorched places but the suffering is not overtaking them.  The Lord is guiding them continually and satisfying them! They are like a well-watered garden - blessed, cared for, nourished so that they can thrive as they "spend" their lives for the least of these.   They are repairers of the breach, and as a result,  the foundations of many generations are affected! Now that's a life well spent.