Imagine waking up one day and realizing you can’t stay where you are. Not because you want to, but because staying means danger—real danger. Your home, the place filled with memories and comfort, suddenly isn’t safe anymore. That’s what millions of refugees face every single day. They’re not tourists. They’re people running for their lives.
None of us truly belong here.
The Bible is clear that this world is not our home. Philippians 3:20 says it simply: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” That means we are all foreigners in this life. We’re on a journey, passing through. When you understand that, it changes how you see the strangers around you.
Strangers and Foreigners
The Bible is full of stories about strangers, foreigners, and refugees—people displaced, wandering, or seeking shelter. Their stories reveal God’s heart.
- Abraham was called to leave his homeland and wander into an unknown land, trusting God’s promises (Genesis 12). He was a stranger looking for a place he would never fully settle.
- Moses was born a Hebrew in Egypt, raised in Pharaoh’s palace, and later led his people through the wilderness to a land they had never seen. The Israelites themselves were once foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 12:49).
- Ruth, a Moabite widow, chose to leave her own country and follow Naomi to Israel, trusting in God’s provision and love in a foreign land (Ruth 1).
- David, before he was king, lived as a fugitive, hiding from enemies and living as a stranger in the wilderness (1 Samuel 21–27).
- The prophets frequently reminded Israel to care for the foreigner, the widow, and the orphan—those on the margins of society (Jeremiah 22:3, Isaiah 1:17).
- And Jesus Himself was a refugee as a child, fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s deadly threat (Matthew 2:13-15).
In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, God commands His people: “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
This is a central theme of God’s justice and mercy—welcoming the outsider because we ourselves have been outsiders.
Why Does This Matter?
When your own heart is longing for home, you can’t help but have compassion for the person who’s lost theirs. You know what it’s like to be vulnerable. You know what it means to be in-between. That’s why the Bible calls us to welcome refugees—not just because it’s kind, but because it’s who we are.
What Does That Look Like Today?
Statistics and headlines can be overwhelming. But behind every number is a person—someone with hopes, fears, and a story worth hearing.
So how do we respond? How do we live this out? It starts small and it starts with you.
- A smile to the newcomer.
- A listening ear when someone shares their story.
- Helping hands to meet basic needs like food and shelter.
- Advocating for policies that protect dignity and human rights.
The Salvation Army’s mission has always been about going to the hurting and vulnerable. We don’t just want to help people survive—we want to help them thrive. Every person reflects the image of God and deserves to be treated with love and respect.
This Is About Kingdom Living
Jesus said it best in Matthew 25:35: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Welcoming the stranger is Kingdom work. It’s a glimpse of what heaven looks like—where every outsider is embraced, every hurting soul finds peace, and every weary heart finds rest. We are all on a journey home. While we’re here, we have the incredible opportunity to be God’s hands and feet to those who need it most.
So today, on World Refugee Day, let’s step up. Let’s open our hearts—and maybe even our homes. When we welcome the stranger, we welcome Jesus Himself.
That’s why our welcome matters so much.
Learn more about The Salvation Army’s position on refugees and asylum seekers here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cache.salvationarmy.org/b098ace2-8430-4db0-b89f-87db8b8b5c58_English+Refugees+and+Asylum+Seekers+IPS.pdf