Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 11, 2015
These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there. Numbers 35:15
The Lord gave my good friend, Pastor Johnny Hunt, a vision of a City of Refuge for ministers. This is a safe place for spiritual leaders in need of soul care, heart healing, mind renewal and physical rest. They may suffer from poor moral choices, alcohol or drug addictions or emotional burnout. Fallen men, women and their families require a refuge of love, acceptance and accountability to experience holistic healing. A crisis of faith needs a safe place to rest in Christ. Thank God for leaders whose influence nurtures a grace filled place, a safe place for the misplaced.
Ancient Israel provided six cities of refuge for accused criminals. These alleged perpetrators were given asylum until they were taken to trial or the high priest died. The death of the priest was seen as atonement for their sins. The priestly leaders called Levites managed the cities of refuge. They were trusted mediators between the attacker and the victim’s family. Protection was only part of the city’s purpose. Its primary purpose was reconciliation between God and man. A city of refuge was a sanctuary for second chances. It was a safe place of forgiveness.
“We might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18, NKJV).
Who do you know who needs a safe place? A safe place to learn how to repair broken relationships. A safe place to change their habits. A safe place to process what they’re thinking and feeling. A safe place to comfort and be comforted. A safe place to know and to be known. A safe place to love and to be loved. A place to be safe by listening, by accepting, by loving, and by praying. Your gift of a safe place can help someone else find God’s better place.
Perhaps you need your own safe place. One or two friends who accept you where you are, but love you too much to allow you to stay there. A safe place for you to be honest about your anger or transparent about your tendency to distrust people. A safe place is able to secure the right help. Best of all you have a safe place with your Savior Jesus. He already knows everything about you and He still loves you extravagantly. Christ is your refuge. He is your high priest who died to atone for your sins. He is your ultimate safe place. You are a citizen in God’s city of refuge!
“For this reason he [Jesus] had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I take refuge in You. I want to be a safe place for those who need help.
Related Readings: Jeremiah 16:19; Psalm 144:2; Proverbs 30:5; Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:16
Post/Tweet this today: A crisis of faith needs a safe place to rest in Christ. #safeplace #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 5 minute music video- Kristian Stanfill: Always
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