When the ideal situation of a whole family is not possible for some reason, God stands as the Perfect Spouse and Perfect Father to fill the gaps, restore what is lost, override inadequacies, and be the sufficiency of those in lack. He is the Good Shepherd in whom we shall not want (Psalm 23:1). He provides the answers, perhaps not as we expect but in his own way.

Psalm 68 ⁵ Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. Isaiah 54:⁵ For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.

As a spouse, the Lord has the passion for his beloved like a bridegroom for a bride, always fresh and new, always full of hope, truth, and faithfulness. He is the one who loves unconditionally and holds himself to the highest ethical standards.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (2Tim 2:13)

Eph 5 ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ 

As a Father, he is not distant, indifferent, or absent.  He is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15). That’s why we call him “Abba, Father” (Rom 8:15), a term of endearment for a father like “Daddylicious” or “Popsy”. He is eager for us  to come back to him as the father of the prodigal son:  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

Lord there is no better One to stand in the place of Father to the fatherless and Defender of widows. Thank You that You are there, willing and able. Willing with the highest form of love. Able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine. Thank You that in the circumstance of lack, You show Yourself mighty. May Your presence and help be perceived by me in ways I can understand, recognize, and feel. Thank You for Your perfect love and faithfulness in Jesus’s name amen

SONG: GLORY TO THE KING