“for you were aliens...”

Deuteronomy 10:12-22, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.”

Just as the children of Israel were aliens in the land of Egypt, so were all of us aliens to His righteousness. It’s not just that we do sinful actions; we are by our very nature born aliens and strangers to Him. He has done what no man could ever do in paying the price to set us free and be fully adopted into Him. Certainly it is by His grace that we are saved through faith by His initiative; should this not produce a difference in our lives? Are we walking in His ways, loving Him, serving Him and showing His love to the aliens among us?

Give us opportunities to show Your love to those who do not know You; bring revival in our time, O Lord!