It’s the club no one ever wanted to be in. From wife to widow.
One day I was happily married and in the space of a few hours, a widow and single mom to 7.
Days later, at the funeral service for my husband, an older woman gently approached me, extended a hug and said she was from the widow’s ministry at church.
“Oh. I’m a widow,” I mumbled through the fog that was grief as the reality of my new identity hit me.
Grappling with deep grief for me and my children, one of the first things I did was look up every Bible verse on widows and the fatherless. Sure I’d read them over the years, but now these scriptures applied to me. To my children.
And so one morning, I flipped from my concordance to the pages of my Bible and was astounded at what I found.
God loves the widow and fatherless.
He has always taken care of them. God’s Old Testament laws made special provision for them, protected them and their land, and gave serious warning to anyone who took advantage of them.
And the New Testament does the same. The very role of deacon came about because of the church needed godly men of integrity who would make sure daily provision was made for the widow. Timothy gave detailed instructions to the early church on how to care for widows.
But even more important, God’s very character is described as the defender of widows and father to the fatherless. The word for “defender” means advocate — one who pleads the cause, renders justice and rescues from wrongdoing.
Caring for the widow and the fatherless is not just what God does; it’s who he is.
And because it’s his character it will never change. God has always cared for the widow and fatherless and he always will. We can count on not only his promises for the widow, but his character.
If you are a widow or single mom, if you’re raising children without a father, be assured that God is for you.
12 Bible verses for the widow and single mom
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. Exodus 22:22-23 (NLT)
Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Deuteronomy 27:19
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:17-18
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. . . The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow. . . Psalm 146:5, 9
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 1 Timothy 5:5 (NLT)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’ Mark 12:41-44
True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow’s garment as security for her debt. Deuteronomy 24:17 (NLT)
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Psalm 82:3
For in You the fatherless find compassion. Hosea 14:3
Nice helpful study for the Widows. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your love and encouragement.
Amen so encouraging I’m encouraged so much , I have no father but I now know that God is the father to the fatherless , and also my mum is a window and holy God knows I’m encouraged 👏👏👏
Thank you for sharing, love and encouragement
I feel like a widow. I’m a single mom to my 12 year old son. His dad left when he was born. I pray for strength and forgiveness. Thank you for guidance and encouragement.
Thank you so much😭🙏
Thank you Lord for loving us as widows and single parents.
I know you will never leave us nor forsake us.
You defend us , provide and protect us🙏
My husband passaway this year January 28 left me and our son who is 12years old
Thank you for sharing God’s heart about us.
I am in tears. I am so very Thankful for God’s heart concerning the Widow, and the fatherless. I am a widow of five children and 12 grandchildren. I so needed to see how God feels concerning our situation. Surely we are not alone
Amen. I’m also a widow of two boys., hope God provide us peace in our hearts. Please pray for me and my son. May God guide us in truth . His words is true. Lots of stress in widows life.., like in bible says . Don’t take advantage of the widows and fatherless children but today in this evils world everyone want to used widows for their wills. God protect us.,
Yes God will take care of us widows. We never wished to be a widow, we prayed for them but Alas! it failed. God loved them dearly, he had to freed them from pains. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will be with us to the end.
I am a widow over twelve years. My husband died from brain cancer. Thank God for His loving kindness and care for me so lonely and the isolatio this year has been so difficult but God is protecting and helping me everyday. I love the Lord.
What a helpful, studies for a widow like me, my husband died a month ago but God has been faithful to me and my children.
God has been faithful to me and my kids. It hasn’t been easy but God always finds away. God moves when we speak to Him.
True God is the father to the fatherless husband to the widow,l have seen him being a very present help
Thank you for these scriptures. I’ve been a widow almost 4 yrs and I miss my husband so. It’s been very lonely. We have 1 child & my heart aches for her so. And the deacons from church act as if we don’t exist. My father, brothers & uncles are also decease & I have NO assistance from Males. All want to charge me outrageously & I don’t have the funds. I have so many needs. I pray for His provision, strength & forgiveness of those who do not heed the Word. Thank you
Thanks slot for all theses scriptures ..they have really encouraged me so do much..am a widow of 27yrs and with 2 boys..lam that my God will continue walking with me all the daysbof my life..
I thank God for everything He has done to me. . Helping me in every single way of my life. I’ve been widow for 14 years. But still alive and keep trusting in God’s promis. Thank you Lord for sending me your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life
Hi Lea, I’ve been a widow for 3 yrs now and like you, I put my trust in God’s promise. And putting my FOCUS in Jesus Christ who is my Savior & Redeemer. He has blessed me and my family in so many ways and I am very grateful.
It is now 11 months my husband passed on .Every night I go to bed the pain is too deep. I miss him so much. Holly spirit led me to hear what God says about the widows I came across this scripture : Exodus 22 verse 22 to 24 I found strength to know that God is for us . Let us continue praying knowing that God is on our side.
I’m a single mother and grew up without a father. God has helped me so much in my life, I cannot thank him enough for his kindness and provision! He has taken care of me like a husband and watched over my son as a father. No matter your situation, don’t feel less than because you are a widow/single mother, fatherless, or not an Israelite. God says he loves you very much and will help you!
I feel loved. Thank you Lord for your promises to me and my kids.
I have been a widow for 18 years God is still on the throne
I’m a widow with two little kids of 3 and 1 year old,my husband died a month ago working with the Nigerian army. Thanks for bible verse I’m assured that God will not leave nor forsake us
I am a widow for 5 years now with my 5 lovely children, God has been extra faithful to his promises. He is faithful and trustworthy. Gloryyyyyyyyyy to God forever
The Lord has been faithful to me and my children I am a living testimony. God bless you for your sharing.
Thanks for this encouragement, I needed to read this, I just lost my husband in march 2021 my baby was 4 months when he left us, it has really not been easy, the heartache is sometimes unbearable, but searching the scripture and seeing the Word of God concerning widows and the Fatherless has lifted my spirit..
Thank u so much for the words of encouragement. I feel loved. Thanks to the Lord our God. I’m also a widow
With two kids a boy 8 and girl 3. My husband passed away June 2021. I couldn’t accept it, the pain was just too deep and it still is .But today I feel better after getting to know that God is with me and my children and He loves us. Well, I always knew he does but the death of my loving husband made me question His love. Thanks again for sharing. My strength and faith in God has been renewed
Eish Sisi zodwa i feel your pain …i lost my Husband on July due to Covid…its hard i dont wanna lie…bt God has been good through all this pain …keep well dear…God is still God…
Mine too 3 weeks ago. I feel devastated. I have 4 children. 13, 11, 8, and a newborn. I can’t seem to find comfort. My children cry for him everyday. I don’t know what to tell them or how to comfort them..
Connie, I’m so deeply sory for your loss. You are welcome to join a FB group for widows with children. It’s open to anyone, but closed to keep it a safe place to grieve. You will see that you don’t walk this alone and I pray it’s a place of deep comfort for you. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WidowMamaCollective
It is good to trust God in all you do, partcularly, when you are a lonely widow with all your children out of the house . Your uplifting message is a lot encouraging and consolling to me after about 11 years of saying good bye to my dearly beloved husband and friend. God has really been faithful, caring and providing for my needs as well as my children’s.
That You Lord.
May You bless the author of this write-up in Jesus name.
Amen.
I have been a widow for 3 weeks and I’ve seen unbelievable miracles through gods grave abs mercy. I’m taking it hard but god had granted me peace. He looked as if you was at peace and I’m so grateful that god took him him 🙏🏾
When my husband of 20 year’s was killed in July 2020, I was so angry at God. I couldn’t understand why my husband had to die so tragically, and wondered why I was still here. However, I found my way back to the good Lord and He is seeing me and my kid’s through this life, until we are reunited in Heaven! Hallelujah! 💜🙏🏻💜
I’m so glad I came across this, I lost my husband in August 2021 to covid-pneumonia and we have 3 kids age 19, 3, and 1… This becoming a widow has been hard, and I’m scared! 😭💔
I’m so blessed and encouraged reading this.I have been a widow for ten years with a son of eleven years but I find this scripture encouraging this morning.Thankyou ma
Wow, I’m lifted by this scriptures. Lost my husband two weeks ago I’m devastated, by with this , I know God is by our side
I read all the widows confession, i didnt expect that i will be the one of them…. My husband suddened left us with my 13 y/o girl and 10 mos baby boy, the suddenned death through motorcycle accident i felt too deep pain yes it’s true thank you for all the verses in the bible regarding widows….and I gradually accept and believe that God loves us.He never leave nor forsake us..
God is my strength,my refuge, my comforter….
To my fellow widows let us be strong for our children God will help us…
I am super blessed and encouraged through this. May God continue blessing you. Am convicted to recognize, appreciate and help widows in my society. Lots of love from Kenya💜
After reading all this testimonies my spirit has been lifted up because after losing my husband I have been livingva life of fear of the future.
Those verses are very encouraging. God defends widows and orphans very seriously
I am a mother of two I lost my husband four month ago the pain is so dip cause my little children could not enjoy their father I am looking up to God for Devine help and provision and also that the holy spirit will comfort me
Thanks. I find comfort in the words of God.
Am a widow with two kids and God has been faithful.
I am a mother of 3 lovely kids,lost my husband 3 months back,it’s not easy for me,I cry each day that passes by not until now I came across this page and seen many verses that told me of God’s promises to widows n fatherless I pray his words be confirmed in our lives
Thank you Jesus for keeping us alive and Thank you for the word of God that encourages us. I lost my husband in 2020 with three children it was not easy but with God we are living. We return all the glory to him for keeping us alive 🙏🙏🙏🙏
God spoke to me this morning because I wanted to find all the promises He gave us. Than I was thinking what other promises does He give the widows and fatherless. I was told and even read years ago after my 1st husband passed, that I wasn’t considered a widow due to my young age and most likely able to remarry. I thank you for your sharing on your journey. I am a widow for the second time. My husband passed away 4 months ago and I am still young according to scripture. It says 60 and over are considered widows. Maybe I’m reading the context wrong. But my daughter and I have definitely been protected. My latest husband and I always sought truth in everything. We wanted to honor and obey as best as we can. He led our family in such a gentle, yet gave us a firm foundation walking with our heavenly father. He was a gift to my daughter and I. I miss and love him so much it hurts. Cancer took him so fast. We felt that urgency to marry so that we can take care of each other for however long that was. Was a sweet yet short time. I pray our Elohim will bless and protect your families. Seek Him with all your heart mind and soul. Ask for His will and obey Him. In Yeshuas name Amen.
So glad this blessed you!