March 29 - Joshua 19:49-21:45 | 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

Good morning everyone,

Today we begin our reading with Joshua finally receiving his allotment of the Promised Land. As a great leader would, Joshua waited until everyone else had been assigned their portion and were settling in before he claimed the land he wanted,Timnath Serah, which situated on the northern slope in the hill country of Ephraim. Joshua rebuilt the town and would in years to come, be buried there.

Chapter 20 lists the six cities of refuge. You’ll remember a city of refuge is a city designated to protect a person, who accidentally killed another person, from revenge being taken on them.They could flee from their home to these cities and safely live until they could receive a fair trial, however if they went outside the city once they got there, the city could do nothing to protect them from the avenger of blood. Just a few things about these cities; 1) They were strategically located so that anyone could easily get to them. The land was only about the size of Maryland, so nobody was ever too far away. 2) The gates of the city were never locked. 3)The city was to be well stocked providing not only safety but food and shelter as well. 4) Once you were to the city you stayed at the city, even if found innocent of murder it was still manslaughter and you were there for life. 

Oh my gosh, for a moment would you please just stop and ask your minds eye to give you an image of what this might look like? In “our world” as you walked down the main street this is what you may see; Over there, a heavy set, tattooed, bearded biker working on his hog. Across the street, there’s a kid with dark skin, hoodie up, smoking a cigarette, earbuds in, walking with swag. Just down the walk from him is a guy in a business suit and shiny loafers, leaning against a lamp post, nervously tapping his toe while texting back and forth with someone and then take a look at that skinny kid over there, looking very anxious, shaking his head mumbling “it was just an accident” as a tear rolls down his face. The point is, this melting pot of a town with streets of dirt and dust floating in the air, more of an open market place atmosphere, I imagine, had the same sort of people as we would see today, all sorts of people waiting and wondering what their future held for them, while standing on street corners, hanging out, trying to stay busy in their new life as a fugitive. They would not have a lot, if any, family there, so while it would be much better than the death sentence awaiting them outside the gates, I rather imagine it would be a very lonely and intimidating place.

As believers in Jesus Christ the only running we have to do is to the cross. Psalm 18:2 says “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” How do we run to Him? By clinging to the hope God has promised us. Hebrews 6:18 says “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” Don’t let the words “promised, oath and it is impossible for God to lie” go unnoticed. Crazy important words to live by! It is God’s assurance that Jesus Christ is your Hope. He is my Hope. He is the Hope for all who will but seek His face. Right!? Many a time at CCM I heard, “God said it, I believe it and that settles it!” I echo those words today. Amen?!

I pray you all have a great day, to God be the glory.

God bless everyone …