Day 73 - My City of Refuge

Today's Reading: Num. 34-35 and Acts 25

In today's reading I was reminded of the "Cities of Refuge" that God ordained for a safe place for those who might have accidentally killed someone.

Here's what Ellen G. White says about these cities:

"The cities of refuge were so distributed as to be within a half day’s journey of every part of the land. The roads leading to them were always to be kept in good repair; all along the way signposts were to be erected bearing the word “Refuge” in plain, bold characters, that the fleeing one might not be delayed for a moment. Any person—Hebrew, stranger, or sojourner—might avail himself of this provision. But while the guiltless were not to be rashly slain, neither were the guilty to escape punishment. The case of the fugitive was to be fairly tried by the proper authorities, and only when found innocent of intentional murder was he to be protected in the city of refuge. The guilty were given up to the avenger. And those who were entitled to protection could receive it only on condition of remaining within the appointed refuge. Should one wander away beyond the prescribed limits, and be found by the avenger of blood, his life would pay the penalty of his disregard of the Lord’s provision. At the death of the high priest, however, all who had sought shelter in the cities of refuge were at liberty to return to their possessions." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 515

I was thinking this morning how we are guilty of murder, and before the judge we are found guilty. Yet JESUS took our guilt in our place, and He has become our city of refuge! However, we are only safe as we stay IN Him. If we try to walk on our own, away from the safety of his presence, we are sure to be captured by our enemy. 

I love Psalm 91:1-2, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."

Tomorrow's Reading: Numbers 36 and Deuteronomy 1 and Psalm 32