A Spiritual Reality

In Old Testament times, if you accidentally killed someone, the best thing for you to do was to hop the next chariot and head out for the closest city of refuge. There was no time to lose; no time to plan or pack or even notify family or friends. This was indeed a life or death matter, and the life on the line was now yours. 

The designated city of refuge was the only safe place available where the avenger could not take your life in payment for the one you had taken, even though it was not your fault. It was lawful for a member of the slain's family to take your life if you dilly-dallied around long enough to be caught outside the parameters of safety.

The city of refuge is a physical demonstration of a spiritual reality. 

Jesus is our city of refuge.

Even though the city of refuge directive was set up by Moses to protect the innocent, with Jesus, the guilty has only to ask for forgiveness and it is granted.  That forgiveness puts a wall of protection between the one forgiven and the enemy [the devil]. As long as you dwell in the presence of God nothing can harm or alarm your soul when your mind is stayed on Him. The physical body may endure hardship, pain, suffering and even death, but the soul is guarded with a vengeance in the hand of the Almighty.

In the Old Testament the innocent had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, then they were declared free.

When Jesus [your, and my, high priest] died on the cross, His death declared all the forgiven as free.  And all who would hence forth ask for forgiveness would be free as well. 

You are free from the enemy's hellish desire to destroy. You may be maligned, ridiculed, and attacked from every side, but the peace that passes understanding still remains in your heart.  Choose to remain in the City of Refuge and recognize that the City has become your Savior, Jesus Christ.



copyright 11/23/2014