THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 24-26
“You were slaves in Egypt and the Lord redeemed you from there.” (Deuteronomy 24:18)
I saw a news story about a man who is walking across Canada pushing a shopping cart.
He is doing this to raise awareness and support for homeless teens.
This man was once a homeless teen, so he remember what it was like.
His motivation to help is tied to his having been there once himself.
We are urged to remember, like Israel, how God has helped and blessed us.
We should not look down on others, or treat those who struggle as less than us.
We are where we are by the grace of God, and that same grace was with us before we got here.
It is not because we are better or wiser that we are not where others are.
So many factors, with God at work in all of them, to explain where we are right now.
The poor, homeless, sick, abused, refugees, addicts – these are our brothers and sisters.
We need to love and help them, as we would have them love and help us… the golden rule.
I sometimes wonder if the Jews today remember this, as they relate to the Palestinians.
Our only debt to others is to love, grace and help them… just as God has done to us.
If we think they don’t deserve it, remember… we didn’t deserve it either!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, how can I not be patient with others, when I remember how patient You are with me. Mercy, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, this is the least I can do after all You’ve done for me.