He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. —Deuteronomy 10:18

 Click Here to Read Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 10

Community outreach is a hallmark of most churches, providing support to orphans, the elderly, and others with special needs. When I studied in the US, in Greenville, North Carolina, I found that one local church also took special care of foreign students. Church volunteers took us on trips to the beach and sightseeing excursions and provided local shopping transportation each Friday. Always with a humble, willing spirit. You would never guess that Pat, one of the frequent volunteers, was the city’s current mayor. Nor that Gene, quick to help carry groceries from the car, was well into his seventies.

I thought it odd that none of the volunteers attempted to evangelize us, nor seemed to mind that most of the students did not attend their church. I asked Gene about this one afternoon as he and his wife Silvia hosted me for tea. His answer was simple. They loved God by loving us.

Scripture tells us that God gave the people of Israel specific instructions regarding foreigners. After receiving the second pair of tablets, Moses proceeded to instruct the people regarding the commandments and other matters. The Lord “loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing,” he said. “And you are to love those who are foreigners” (Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 14-22). To their descendants many generations later, the prophet Zechariah likewise commanded, “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor” (Zechariah 7:10).

In today's increasingly migratory world, we're bound to encounter foreigners and other outsiders in our everyday lives. Whether they're next-door neighbors or strangers on a crowded bus, may we treat them with special kindness.

Reflection: How can you be intentional about meeting the needs of foreigners or other outsiders in your neighborhood, city, or country?

Prayer starter:

Lord, help me to be more like you each day. Open my eyes and heart to the needs of foreigners and other outsiders both in my immediate surroundings and in the wider world.

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