Today is World Day of Migrants and Refugees

According to Nationaltoday.com, "Every year since 1914, the church has been celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The inception of this day can be traced to just a few months before the outbreak of the First World War. In 2019, the number of immigrants all over the world had reached a staggering 272 million, which was 51 million more than it was in 2010. Today is a day dedicated to expressing concern to many who face challenges related to immigration and is also a day to recognize our foreign brothers and sisters’ journeys and shine a light on their stories whichever way we can." There has been a lot of talk about migrants and refugees, so on this day which calls attention to these people, let's first look at what God has to say about them in the Bible . . .

• Jeremiah 22:3 - The Lord proclaims: Do what is just and right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor. Don’t exploit or mistreat the refugee, the orphan, and the widow. Don’t spill the blood of the innocent in this place. —(Common English Bible)
• Hebrews 13:2 - Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! —(New Living Translation)
• Leviticus 19:33, 34 - When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. —(Common English Bible)
• Matthew 25:35-40 - For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  —(New International Version)

You will find more of what the Bible says at this link.

Clearly God wants us as Christians to treat immigrants, migrants, refugees, and anyone who is in need with kindness, love, compassion, and to do whatever we are able to do to help them. It is essential for us as Christians to teach and model this type of love and care for all people, so the children we love grow up to do the same.

So, on this day to focus on Migrants and Refugees, choose to be a person who does what God wants and show compassion and love to those in need - after all, if our country was a dangerous place for the children we love, wouldn't we do all we could to move to a place where they would be safe? I certainly would. You will find out more about this day at the following link.