Widow’s favor

God’s Words in Zephaniah 3:15 came to pass for me. It says, “The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.”

Indeed, in Jesus, I have no misfortune to fear and he restores all damage to victims.

Three Sundays ago, I narrated here how robbers entered my house and ran away with some valuables. My prayer to God after that misfortune was two-fold: for God to work on the robbers’ hearts and make them repent and two, vindication for me, a widow.

Honestly, I was thinking my case was for the books only. I was already leaving everything and everyone in God’s hands especially when people in the neighborhood were saying that our area is infested with thieves and even the police couldn’t do anything about them. I readied myself to charge everything as a bad experience.

The robbery happened on the night of November 18. Two weeks after, on Dec 2, I got an sms from the police saying one of two suspects was nabbed. Before the night ended, the captain of the police team himself knocked on my door with a laptop in hand and asked me if the unit was mine.

I was so engulfed in joy that I wanted to grab my laptop but of course, the police could not release it as yet as it was case evidence. I blurted out, “Even from afar, I know that’s my laptop.”

Friends and work colleagues have a common statement: “ Wow, you must be influential to be able to get police to investigate and get SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operative) to help in court evidence.

I do not have the wealth, the rank or fame of someone worthy to be robbed. I simply invoked my right as a citizen of this country to tap the services of our police and to enjoy the benefits of my taxes.

If there’s a big influence I can boast of , it is that of having a big God with a big heart for widows like me that He explicitly warned people to treat us right or else bear the brunt of His justice.

I have always kept in my heart God’s promise in Isaiah 54:45 that He is my great protector. Last January, it was also the message I received on New Year’s Day. And it has now come to pass.

Isaiah 54:4-5 – “Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.…”

After two weeks, the robbery case hits “Bingo!” and I am thankful to the police force for their speed and dedication. I am a newcomer to this place and definitely I am not someone with influence. But I know where the power came from— it is God’s love for widows like me.

He said vindication is forthcoming to people who hurt me (Mark 12:40) – “They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.”

Though He made special mention of widows, I believe that God watches ALL His devout followers, widow or not, orphan or what. Nothing escapes God’s eyes and He will eventually dispense justice for victims of harassment, oppression, ridicule and shame.

That night when the police captain showed up on my doorstep, I met the robber face to face. They said he is a “graduate” of Muntinlupa. I immediately looked him in the eye and said that I don’t look down on him just because of his previous incarceration. God is justice and I’m far from the right person to judge anyone. But I don’t condone what he has done. He should change his life

Out of nowhere I was quoting Mark 12:40 before this man. I reminded Him that God will always serve justice for widows like me and he’d better accept his fate after this.

Up to this day, I speak of the marvels of God’s power in this case. The suspect was nabbed because of another robbery case, not mine. Who reminded the police to connect that case to mine? I wasn’t an influential character. It could have only been God.

Who led the police to the person who bought my laptop from the suspect? It could only be God’s wisdom.

Who has alerted my neighbors to be more vigilant after this robbery? Not me. It’s all God’s design to use me as a victim for the good of others. And on that note, I humbly accept my misfortune.

So for widows like me who are reading this, trust in God’s divine presence, in His providence and in His love. When all else fails, God is our victorious shield against harm and the cruelty of the world.

We just have to live a life for Him. In my 17 years of widowhood, I have learned that if I look up to God as the lover of my soul, I will continue to see His hands providing for me and His face to shine on me with peace and love.