Daily Devotion February 17--Do not oppress a stranger

February 17

Exodus 23:9

Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

The Israelites had been captives in Egypt for many years before God told Moses to lead them out.  They knew what it was to a stranger in a strange land.

We, too, are strangers in a strange land (and I'm sad to say, this world gets stranger by the day.)  But just like the Israelites were told not to oppress a stranger, the same is true for us today.

One way to look at this is to see it as saying not to oppose a doubting man.  Often, when Christians talk to nonbelievers, they may be seen as confrontational.  If we are speaking to a nonbeliever, they are a doubting person.  We must remember the time when we were lost and had doubts of our own.  We had to have someone willing to show us the way and to give us information about salvation through Jesus Christ.  We must remind ourselves how we felt when we first heard the gospel message.  We must remember when we were doubters.  It is not good to be judgmental when speaking to individuals.  We must be kind in gentle with them.  We know what it is to be lost and must be considerate of those we are trying to lead to Christ.

As we go through the day, let us remember that we are strangers in this land and to be good hearted when leading others to Christ.