The Daily: Monday January 19, 2026

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.'
- Leviticus 19:33-34

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Maybe you moved to a new town, started a new job, or found yourself in a group where you didn't quite fit in. That feeling of being on the outside looking in is something many of us can relate to. Yet God's heart has always been for the outsider, the immigrant, the stranger among us. From the very beginning, God established a radical principle that would echo throughout all of Scripture: love the immigrant as you love yourself. This wasn't just a nice suggestion—it was a foundational command that revealed God's character.

When we look at our own lives, we realize that in many ways, we're all immigrants in this world, seeking belonging and acceptance. God's love doesn't recognize the borders we create. Whether those borders are national, cultural, economic, or social, God sees beyond them to the heart of each person. This divine perspective challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we see others the way God sees them? Do we extend the same welcome we hope to receive? The beautiful truth is that God's love creates a trajectory of inclusion that spans all of Scripture. It's not an accident or a side note—it's central to who God is and how God works in the world. When we embrace this truth, we begin to see that loving the stranger isn't just about being kind to others; it's about recognizing our own need for God's welcoming love.

Reflection
How might your perspective on welcoming others change if you remembered that you too have been a stranger in need of acceptance?

Prayer
God of all nations, help me to see others through Your eyes of love. Soften my heart toward those who are different from me, and remind me that Your love knows no borders. Give me courage to extend the same welcome I hope to receive. Amen.