Show God's Love for the Outcast
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 (NASB)
12 “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, 13 and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. 15 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. 16 So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. 17 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. 18 He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 19 So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. 21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. 22 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.
SUMMARY
Moses continues to speak with the Israelites before they enter the land that God promised them. He tells them that God requires them to fear the Lord their God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, to serve the Lord their God with all their heart and soul, and to keep His commandments and statutes, which are for the people's good. He reminds them that God, the Owner of everything in the earth and in the heavens, decided to set His affection to love them and chose them as His people. Thus, Moses commands the people to circumcise their hearts or repent, and submit to God and His ways. As God loves unconditionally and provides justice for the weak and vulnerable in society, so the people are commanded to do the same.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Two things caught my attention in this passage.
The first was that the Lord of lords, God of gods, the great, mighty, and awesome God who owns all the earth and all that is in it and the heavens and all that is in it, decided to pursue a love relationship with me, a sinner and a speck in the span of eternity (vv. 14-15). He chose me before the world began (Eph. 1:4). Who am I that God pays attention to me, let alone, sent His Son to die for my sins? What have I done to deserve His unfailing love and pursuit of my cold and sin-filled heart? Often in this world, I have personally experienced and witnessed being unwanted. As a young child, I've seen a girl being bullied and hated just because of how she looked. I've experienced rejection because of something I did not possess. This world seems to deliver the message that you've got to have what it takes to be pursued. I think this is why I am humbled and amazed when I think about the kind of Being God is. He pursues us and even died for us, "while we were yet sinners" (Rom. 5:8). I reject the message of the world, that if I do not have this or that, I am faulty and rejected, and I stand on the message of God's words of truth, that I am fully "accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6).
The second was the call to follow the great example of God--to not show partiality nor take a bribe, execute justice for the orphan and the widow, and show love for the alien (vv. 17-18). Recently, God has been showing me the true state of my heart. I was surprised to find out how much I sought comfortable friendships in which I could gain something--love, acceptance, understanding, encouragement, recognition, etc. Seeking some of these things in friendships is not wrong, however, if I am only seeking friendships in which I receive some kind of benefit, that is not in full alignment with God's will. He desires that I seek friendships with the needy He brings around me, who may not be able to give anything back in return. Back in the days of the Israelites, the orphans, widows, and aliens were like the outcasts and burdens of society, helpless and needy with nothing to offer. God calls me to care for the "outcasts" around me, today.
APPLICATION
These days, God has been breaking my heart for the "outcasts" around me. There are people who have been isolated from friend groups, people on the streets, people struggling with addictions, etc. that God has been bringing to my attention. Oftentimes, the Spirit leads me to reach out first and give the little that I have to that person, in faith. Sometimes I see an immediate response, sometimes it takes a long time before I see any kind of response, and sometimes I don't see any kind of response. When God shows me a friend or neighbor in need, I resolve not to turn a blind eye to his/her needs, but to seek God to show me how I can help meet his/her need. There are times that I become offended by others because they respond hurtfully from a place of pain or brokenness. I resolve to seek God for grace to give in those moments and to bless and pray for the hurting who hurt others. For love truly covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). I want to be ready and willing to do God's good will, even though it is uncomfortable and difficult at times. I want to love as He has loved us (1 John 4:19).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your love so freely and unconditionally. You have shown me what it looks like to love perfectly and there is so much good and power in that. Lord, I am weak but willing, and I ask You to help me to love as You love me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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