18 February | EVERYONE
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.'" Numbers 35: 9-11
The culprit runs into the night fleeing from his captors. Things did not go his way; the argument ended in blood. That is why he flees in desperation, to search for a city of refuge. The Mosaic law said that the culprit who came to one of them would be safe from his captor’s vengeance.
The Old Testament presents a revolutionary system of God-given laws to His people. Human beings are precious in God’s eye. The laws were framed in a covenant that interwove justice and grace. The justice system demanded that those guilty of intentional crime be punished, but God provided a "way out" to protect those who committed involuntary manslaughter. Sin was not overlooked; there was a judgment. But he commanded Israel to set aside "cities of refuge" where people unwittingly responsible for someone's death could protect themselves from the avenger of blood.
Today we have no more cities of refuge, but Christ is our present refuge during tribulations. No one can touch the life of someone who runs into the arms of Jesus in search of safety and salvation. In the Old Testament, there was only refuge for accidental killers, but today there is forgiveness for any human being who recognizes their sin, repents, and cries out for divine grace. Sin does not disappear spontaneously. Christ took on the sin of all of us and gave us His immaculate life.
There is no more reason to have sleepless nights. There is forgiveness because there is grace. And there is grace because the innocent blood of the Lamb of God was poured out on the lonely summit of Calvary.
Take Action
Acknowledge your failures today, repent by turning your mind toward God's love, and seek refuge in Jesus for all your uncertainties.