Deuteronomy 27:19 
‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’
And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ (NLT)

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Driving east one bright morning, I quickly regretted leaving my sunglasses in my bride’s car. Fortunately, I was meeting family members at Costco, and they just so happened to have Ray Bans on sale. Mischief managed.

We always drive more safely when we are not blinded by sunlight. 

Have you discovered the trick to making the news make sense? We can view television and print news through different lenses which provide more or less clarity. 

For example, we can look at the news through the lens of politics. This makes us see Red or Blue or Green or some combination of colors. This leads us toward strong opinions, pro or con, depending on the source of the reporting. 

The problem with viewing the news this way is that we end up adopting someone else’s value system that generally agrees with our own, but not completely. We accept some measure of discomfort for the overall message we want to defend or protect.

We can also view the news through a financial lens. Which issues most affect our financial status? We often choose to side with those who put more money in our pockets or provide more toys and joys than others. 

One way we should look at the news is from God’s perspective. (You knew this was coming, right?) If we look up to God’s will and ways through the lenses of party politics, we tend to see God agreeing with our party and becoming the adversary of the other guys. 

If we look up to God through a financial lens, we see benefits and blessings for ourselves that may not benefit others at all. Some people mislabel this as “the favor of God.”

Of course, we need to view political, financial, and personal issues from God’s perspective. His is the one that matters most and ultimately. 

Here is a double-dog dare: Read Deuteronomy 24-27 and pay close attention to how many times God speaks through Moses about foreigners, orphans, and widows. Listen carefully to what God says about these people groups. See how God wants us to treat them and provide for them. 

Give special attention to the verse above. Notice that word “cursed.” God says that’s what happens to us when we do not provide for foreigners, orphans, and widows. This is not a political matter or a financial matter. This is a matter of grace, mercy, and kindness. This is a matter of obedience. 

We need good and just laws and good and just enforcement of those laws. We also need good and just men and women who seek God’s highest and best for all people, including foreigners, orphans, and widows. We need to look at these people groups through God’s lenses so that we are not blinded to their needs and his commands. 

Working together across political, financial, and personal divides under God’s direction and from his love for all people everywhere leads us to much better solutions than are on the table now. 

God is serious about this. He always has been. He always will be. Let’s settle for nothing less than his best for these vulnerable souls wherever and however they entered their current states of being. Instead of falling on the Cursed side of God’s ledger, let’s land on the Blessed side. It’s the best side. 

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I will seek God’s highest and best for foreigners, orphans, and widows. 

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Our Father, there are more refugees, immigrants, and slaves today than at any time in human history. Vulnerable people are mistreated in evil ways around the world. So many long to live in freedom. They want to provide for and protect their families. They want to enjoy the goodness of justice. They want what you want for all people everywhere. Show us how to serve these people’s immediate needs and long-term issues. Bless us with those who will provide just laws and enforcement, along with simpler and more effective policies for those who are desperate to breathe free. Amen.