City of Refuge

        The City of Refuge in the Old Testament was a place for someone to flee in order to escape being put to death for manslaughter (Numbers 35:10-15). This provided a person who split innocent blood the protection of the Levi and High Priest until a trial could be held to determine intent. If the person was guilt of murder then the kinsmen man redeemer could avenge the death of a family member.

      This was a way for God to show us that people should be judged not just on their actions but also on the intent of their heart. In fact, in Numbers 15 God gave provisions for sin that was committed "unwittingly" or "unintentionally," against His commands. Therefore, God provides a way of salvation from sin that is committed without the intent of doing wrong.

      King David would take the concept of a Refuge and apply the principle to God in Psalm 18:1-3

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

     Today, the church should be a place of refuge for those who are in need of God's unconditional love, His Grace, and rest. We need to be a place where the lost can be found, the sick find healing, the hopeless find hope. Christ's church is a place were the sinner finds the One in whom they can be saved, through the finished work of Jesus, who as David described is our deliverer!

Day 34 – February 10 - City of Refuge
Pray that Independence will be a city of Refuge for the weak, weary, and worn out! That Summit Point would be the Salt of the Earth and a Light for those in darkness. A place that can point people to our God, who restores our souls and gives us rest!

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Pastor Charles