Devotions

Christians in America don’t often think about serious persecution—the kind that involves betrayal, exile, and death. We have had peace and freedom to follow Jesus for many years. But history tells us that it’s common for Christians to live with persecution at some level, and Jesus himself tells us to expect it. This world is not our home.

This is a scary time for immigrants in America right now. Anti-immigrant feeling is rising, and even those who have been here legally for years have reason to be afraid. Jesus helps us face an uncertain future.

Though Jesus is God, he chose to be born as a human being in a conquered nation, subject to the authority of a far-off emperor who never even knew he was alive. His mother gave birth to him on a journey, in temporary housing far from her relatives.

We are far from our Father’s home, living as exiles and aliens in a world where every day reminds us we don’t belong and aren’t welcome. And we long for the city God is preparing—our everlasting home with Jesus our Savior, who died and rose again to make us God’s children.

During the early years of our ministry among refugees, we saw how difficult it was for them to trust anybody. And they had good reason! In the countries they had left behind, there were plenty of people trying to take advantage of them—corrupt police, government officials looking for bribes.