Saturday, May 28, 2016
Joshua 20:1-4 The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in the hearing of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.'"
OUR LORD SAYS, "APPOINT CITIES OF REFUGE"
The war was over. The LORD had reclaimed the promised land of Abraham for his descendants, the inheritance of the Children of Israel. After the Children of Israel had divided up the lands and cities according to the twelve tribes, the LORD appointed certain "cities of refuge" from among those cities. These cities were a special haven for those who had killed someone.
We do not have the same instruction today as the twelve tribes were given. However, you and I do have something very similar. You see, we have sinned in the shedding of innocent blood as well. You and I have sinned and have had a hand in our LORD's death. When God's Son, Jesus Christ, came to this world He took your sins to the cross and shed His blood in death to give you the mercy and forgiveness you so desperately needed! Today, we have appointed "cities" of refuge at the LORD's house where we come to hear of His grace and kindness toward us. He takes us into His home and dwells with us! He gives us the joy and comfort of reading, listening, and singing praises of His promises kept to us, and those fellow believers who have gone before us! Make use of your refuge and strength tomorrow as you gather in the LORD's house to hear of His deliverance!
Joshua 21:43-45 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
