Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them . . . until the death of him who is high priest at the time.” Joshua 20:1-6
The six cities of refuge, appointed by God, provided sanctuary for any person who unintentionally took someone’s life. An elder or a priest would stand at the gate to meet the person who was fleeing. Once inside the city of refuge, the manslayer would present his case and, if his actions were found ‘without intent to murder,’ he would remain in that city until his case was heard and until the death of him who was high priest at the time.
I am so glad that, in Christ, I have a refuge. He has heard my ‘case’ and pronounced me safe from condemnation through Christ’s death on the cross. The enemy may pursue me, but in Jesus I find a refuge. The enemy may accuse me but Jesus declare me righteous in God’s sight (Romans 8:33). The enemy may condemn me but Jesus pleads my case (Romans 8:34). In Him, I am safe – not just for a time, but for all of eternity.
Prayer: Lord, in you I find my refuge. Remind me of this important truth whenever the enemy, the accuser, comes knocking and whispers condemnation in my ear. In you, I am safe from condemnation because you paid the price once and for all. My future is secure, not just in this world, but of all of eternity. Amen.
Thought: “In Jesus Christ on the Cross there is refuge; there is safety; there is shelter; and all the power of sin upon our track cannot reach us when we have taken shelter under the Cross that atones for our sins” (A.C. Dixon).