Comfort for the Stranger

According to Scripture, God's people, should always feel somewhat out of place in this world. They ought to feel like strangers, pilgrims, aliens, like "ducks out of water," out of their proper environment. The Psalmist said, "I am a stranger on earth" (Psalm 119:19a). The phrase, "wherever I lodge," in verse 54, literally means: "in my temporary house." According to Hebrews 11, the "heroes of the faith" "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth" (verse 13).

As strangers in the world, we are disturbed by many things. Our own mortality can be distressing. Children grow up and parents grow old. Life is going by rapidly. Also distressing is the fact that bad things happen to basically good people, to God's people.

The Psalmist was well aware of his weakness and frailty. In the Psalms we read of both high and low points in the life of faith. Like the Psalmist, there are times when, spiritually speaking, we feel like we could "soar with the eagles." And a short time later, Our own instability can be distressing.

Whether we observe it or experience it, we know that life is simply unfair. Injustice occurs every day, in all aspects of human life. The problems of the world seem so overwhelming that we are tempted to just throw up our hands in despair.

But strangers in the world are not alone in the world. In one Bible version, Psalm 119:49-56 is entitled: "God's Word is my comfort and guide whatever the circumstances." The Psalmist wrote, "My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life" (119:50). "I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them" (verse 52). He found comfort not only in Scripture, but in Scripture's Author: "You have given me hope" (verse 49).

in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people problems are inevitable, so don't expect too much.

There are times in your lives when bruised knees or broken dreams have brought tears to your eyes. You have probably experienced how some people can be downright nasty or unkind. Maybe you yourselves said or did something that made you feel bad, that gave you a guilty conscience. Life simply isn't fair. Some people have great beauty or brains, health or wealth, while our portion seems rather small. Diseases and accidents happen to both believers and unbelievers. The Bible reminds us that while life may be unfair at times and people might be unkind,

God is always just and loving.

Peter reminds his readers that they are "God's elect, strangers in the world...who have been chosen" (I Peter 1:1, 2). Being God's chosen people does not keep us from life's storms, but it is our security in life's storms. Another Psalmist reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." When we are in the midst of a "storm," we usually ask God to calm it. The sea around us might be raging but in our hearts there can be the peace of God.

Psalm 4 says: "Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him" (verse 3). We need to know that we are children of God. The awareness of God's presence helped Jacob on his way (Genesis 28:12ff). Once he was alone under the stars, running for his life, when he saw a stairway with angels on it. He woke up and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.... How awesome is this place!" Then he continued his journey.

If only we could live each moment of every day with that awareness, thinking: "Surely the Lord is in this place and in my life. Because of that, How awesome is this place, and how awesome is life itself and eternal life!" Even though you might feel out of place at times, feel as though you don't belong, you do belong to your Savior.

Because you belong to him, live for him. Peter writes: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (I Peter 2:11). Abstaining is not a very popular concept. But it’s your God, your Savior, who says: "Abstain from sinful desires." He does not want us to lose the battle for our souls.

It is hard enough to abstain from sinful words and actions, how can we abstain from sinful desires? Perhaps we can't keep inappropriate thoughts from crossing our minds from time to time, but we can keep them from staying there. We can't prevent them from using the road, but we can put up "No Parking" signs, and we can enforce that rule.

Peter urges us to live good lives among those who don't believe (I Peter 2:12). Many people are concerned about treasures on earth, God’s children should desire spiritual riches. We should be thankful for what we have, not angry or bitter about what we do not have. We should confess and repent of our faults, but not be obsessed with them. We know we have physical, mental, emotional, financial limitations. We accept God's love and forgiveness, and do our best.

Hopefully we, God's children, never waste our time wishing for things that others have, Hopefully we realize how beautiful and special we are in the eyes of God and in the eyes of those who love us. Hopefully we enjoy ourselves, our lives, our Lord, and develop the unique gifts he has given us. Hopefully we seek first God's kingdom and God's will for our lives. Hopefully we will be the best that we can be, for God's glory and for our own good.

Abraham was a great man of faith, who interceded for Sodom and rescued Lot. Like Abraham, Peter urges believers to make a difference in this world. All of us are called to fulfill our part of the Great Commission. Many of us have been strangers at some time in our lives, newcomers to a certain city or community. After living for awhile in a place, people usually become more and more comfortable. They adjust, and may even adopt some of the customs and traditions of their new home. In time, they no longer feel like strangers.

Yet Scripture warns us not to become too comfortable here on earth. The Bible does not promise us comfortable lives. It teaches us that our lives on earth are temporary, and that, spiritually speaking, even when we are in the world we are not of it. It informs us of the comfort that comes from knowing that we belong to Jesus.