Living as a Foreigner
Read Genesis 12:9, 10; 14-20
"And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land" (v. 10).
When a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, Abram was forced to move his family to a foreign country, where they could survive. However, before long, Abram had gotten himself into a predicament with the Pharaoh, and soon Abram and company were sent packing out of Egypt, complete with an escort (v. 20).
It is not easy being a foreigner. It was my high privilege to dwell across the waters for a season of service in another country. I quickly discovered that in order to build relationships and establish a meaningful life as a foreigner, one must be willing to respect the culture, political system, cuisine, societal norms, language, and inhabitants of that land. Likewise, we should regard immigrants to our country with the respect with which we would wish to be treated, and dwell in harmony as much as is possible. After all, we, too, are really foreigners on this planet - passing through to our homeland, one that is fairer than day! (Faith Trussell)
O Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land,
As on thy highest mount, I stand,
I look away across the sea,
Where mansions are prepared for me,
And view the shining glory shore,
My heaven, my home forever more!
- Edgar Page Stites
While we are living as foreigners, may all whose paths we cross see Jesus in us!
This devotional is the Monday, October 9, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.