Love What God Loves

“He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”
— Deuteronomy 10:18-19


This passage offers a deeply moving glimpse into the heart of God. He is not passive or distant in the face of need; He acts. He defends the fatherless, cares for the widow, and loves the foreigner—not just in sentiment but through direct, physical provision. He gives food. He gives clothing. These are acts of justice and mercy woven together in the daily lives of the vulnerable. And then, with unmistakable clarity, God calls us to do the same: “So you also must love the foreigner.”

This is not a call to admiration, but to imitation. We are meant to live as reflections of God’s character. Just as He gives, we are to give. Just as He loves, we are to love. But this love is not born out of duty alone—it is born from remembrance. “You yourselves were foreigners.” God reminds His people of their past vulnerability so that their hearts remain tender. Have you ever experienced a time when you were reliant on the compassion of someone else? How did it feel to be on the receiving end of kindness? How does that experience shape the way you now approach others in need?

God’s justice is not limited to courtrooms and laws—it flows through meals shared, coats offered, hands extended. The rhythm of grace is simple but transformative: we receive, and then we give. We are loved, and then we love. This passage challenges us not just to affirm our beliefs, but to live them out. Who are the strangers near you who need to be seen, fed, clothed, or embraced? Whose burdens can you lift today, not as an obligation, but as an act of love reflecting God’s own mercy?

To respond to this passage, choose one practical act of provision this week—perhaps bringing a meal to a refugee family, donating warm clothing to a shelter, or helping someone navigate life in a new country. Begin with one step, and let it be a reflection of God’s loving heart flowing through your hands.


Loving Father,

You defend the helpless, comfort the grieving, and provide for those in need. You loved me when I had nothing to offer. Help me to love others with that same generous spirit. Teach me to see the foreigner not as a stranger, but as someone You dearly love. Let Your justice flow through my life, not just in words, but in action. Make my heart more like Yours.

I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

-

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