In Joshua chapter 20:1-4
1. Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2."Say to the people of Israel, 'Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3. that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. 4. He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case the elders of the city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. ESV
In ancient times just as today they had true accidents and mistakes, what we would call manslaughter in today's legal system. Back then families took it upon themselves to make the person who shed the blood answer for it and quickly answer for it. These verses are NOT a "Get out of jail free card" for murder or haneous crimes by any means. This is where a man or women may run to when there was an honest accident with no malicious intent involved. If the elders of the Refuge city determine that yes, this was an unintional accident they would offer refuge to the man and protect him from avengers. Eventually the man would sand trial for the deed. This was a place of refuge for those who sincerely need mercy, refuge, protection.
In our modern day we do not have "Cities of Refugee" in the legal sense. But we all are in need of refuge and mercy. We have all been though lay offs, surgeries of children, spouse, parents, siblings, family crises, natural disasters, mental, emotional, financial, physical and spiritual trials. We all have our scar tissue of "war wounds." When these events strike we yearn for our own version of refuge. Typically if we are sick there is no place you would rather be than home. When life hits hard we long for the refuge of close family and friends. We long to be in an environment and with those who will not lecture us, castigate us, but who will patiently and painfully listen and just sit with us. Hypothetically, lets say you have a kidney stone. You talk about refuge. Oh, you need refuge trust me, hypothetically of course. You get wishes via Facebook of "praying for you." or "Been there and understand your pain, praying for you." or "Hang in there..." These friends are a source of refuge, their prayers comfort and encourage you. Then of course you get the rare: "Oh, I had one of those years ago, oh how it hurt, they had to do surgery and it was botched up, I was in ICU for days, they had to do it all over again. Oh the pain and misery I went through....." This is why we have places of refuge from folks like this. Though they meant well, it does not help. In our moments of trials we need refuge and comfort not a scolding rebuke. Also this week I had a chance meeting with man I used to work with years ago who sees himself as a modern day John the Baptist, but he is more of a Pharisee with the personality of 60 grit sand paper. Again he means well, but you want to urge anyone in his radius to flee quickly. We need folks we can run to that remind us of truth and remind us of Scripture, who know how to rightfully divide the Word of GOD and apply it to life. Some people think they are Johnny six shot with Scripture, the do not even listen to your story, circumstances or hear your heart, your pain, they just start firing bullets at you. They intend well, but can do more harm. We need to stop and zip it an listen, listen with our eyes, ears, and hearts. We need, I need to be a place of refuge, where GOD'S grace, mercy and wisdom may be found. Are you a "City of refuge?" Am I? NO. How I wish I was. Thank GOD for the family and friends he brings in your life to be places of refuge and refreshment of GOD'S grace. Finally the ultimate "City of Refuge" is Jesus Christ. No doubt these cities are a picture of Messiah. In a world of danger, fear, hurt, trials and blows Christ is our refuge, the One we can go to in an instant to pour out our confusion, questions, hurts, needs, fears, dreams, requests and our hearts to. Just breath ever so faintly, breath His name and He hears. He is Faithful and our ultimate refuge. Rest in Him beloved.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
"Unconquered Lands"
Just above Joshua 13 is a editorial subheading called "Unconquered Lands." Joshua 13:1 says this "Joshua was now old, advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, 'You have become old, advanced in years, but a great deal of the lad remains to be possessed. This is the land that remains:' "
For many of us the youthful glow of our 20s and 30s have "glowed" out and are gone. Ouch! That hurts to say. Many of us are in the 40s and above decades of our lives. We may not be old, but we are "older" than we were. As we embark on a new decade of life we realize that there are many "territories" for us to still conquer. I had a conversation with myself today. If you have time and nothing important or slightly important or even laundry to do you can read this insightful conversation with myself:
Todd: You do not have any children to care for and contend with.
Me: Yes, that is right.
Todd: So what do you do with the extra time that you have that would be spent / invested in a child or children?
Me: Well...(sigh)... that is a good question, I don't really know.
Todd: Well, I have observed this and here is what you do. You do Facebook, sitting on couch and watching TV and you dream. In fact if sitting on a couch and watching TV was an Olympic event you could bring home the gold for the US every time.
Me: Thanks, wait.....
Todd: Point is you have a lot of time to invest. Ill say it again the key word is "invest."
Me: OK, point taken, but in what?
Todd: What are you passionate about?
Me: I love theology, history, archeology...
Todd: What are you gifted at by GOD?
Me: (sigh) eating, watching TV, making excuses...
Todd: No seriously, what has He given you abilities in?
Me: OK, (so I scratched out a list on paper)
Todd: GOD has given you an education, time, passions, gifts and opportunity. So what have you done with this?
Me: ........................................... (sigh)!
Todd: Exactly! So why don't you start?
Todd: Well??????
Me: What if I fail?
Todd: Remember what Tillin Tchividjian said last Saturday? " Because Jesus is strong, I can be weak. Because Jesus loves me it is OK to not be loved or accepted by others. Because Jesus won for me I'm free to loose. Because Jesus succeeded I'm free to fail."
Todd: Well ????
Me: OK! I will. Did anyone tell you that you are bossy and opinionated?
Todd: Yes. All the time :)
I told you, if you had any thing slightly important to do, to do that. You were warned. So back to the subject of Joshua 13. What unconquered territories are there in your life? Even in the territories that you have been given by GOD, Joshua 15, have you, have I fully cultivated these areas? Have I explored the territories, have I tilled the soil, have I spent time with the Father in these areas asking Him to lead me to cultivate, conquer and work it. Am I listening when He says "there are some rocks you need to clear out and weeds to pull." Am I getting off the couch and going into the fields of life He has given me? When I leave this Earth may it be said of me what the missionary William Borden wrote when they found him " No retreat, No reserve, No regrets." LORD help me every day and every hour to inhabit the territory you have given to me and to take new lands all and only for You, in Your Son's name I ask, Amen.
Grace,
Merka Man
For many of us the youthful glow of our 20s and 30s have "glowed" out and are gone. Ouch! That hurts to say. Many of us are in the 40s and above decades of our lives. We may not be old, but we are "older" than we were. As we embark on a new decade of life we realize that there are many "territories" for us to still conquer. I had a conversation with myself today. If you have time and nothing important or slightly important or even laundry to do you can read this insightful conversation with myself:
Todd: You do not have any children to care for and contend with.
Me: Yes, that is right.
Todd: So what do you do with the extra time that you have that would be spent / invested in a child or children?
Me: Well...(sigh)... that is a good question, I don't really know.
Todd: Well, I have observed this and here is what you do. You do Facebook, sitting on couch and watching TV and you dream. In fact if sitting on a couch and watching TV was an Olympic event you could bring home the gold for the US every time.
Me: Thanks, wait.....
Todd: Point is you have a lot of time to invest. Ill say it again the key word is "invest."
Me: OK, point taken, but in what?
Todd: What are you passionate about?
Me: I love theology, history, archeology...
Todd: What are you gifted at by GOD?
Me: (sigh) eating, watching TV, making excuses...
Todd: No seriously, what has He given you abilities in?
Me: OK, (so I scratched out a list on paper)
Todd: GOD has given you an education, time, passions, gifts and opportunity. So what have you done with this?
Me: ........................................... (sigh)!
Todd: Exactly! So why don't you start?
Todd: Well??????
Me: What if I fail?
Todd: Remember what Tillin Tchividjian said last Saturday? " Because Jesus is strong, I can be weak. Because Jesus loves me it is OK to not be loved or accepted by others. Because Jesus won for me I'm free to loose. Because Jesus succeeded I'm free to fail."
Todd: Well ????
Me: OK! I will. Did anyone tell you that you are bossy and opinionated?
Todd: Yes. All the time :)
I told you, if you had any thing slightly important to do, to do that. You were warned. So back to the subject of Joshua 13. What unconquered territories are there in your life? Even in the territories that you have been given by GOD, Joshua 15, have you, have I fully cultivated these areas? Have I explored the territories, have I tilled the soil, have I spent time with the Father in these areas asking Him to lead me to cultivate, conquer and work it. Am I listening when He says "there are some rocks you need to clear out and weeds to pull." Am I getting off the couch and going into the fields of life He has given me? When I leave this Earth may it be said of me what the missionary William Borden wrote when they found him " No retreat, No reserve, No regrets." LORD help me every day and every hour to inhabit the territory you have given to me and to take new lands all and only for You, in Your Son's name I ask, Amen.
Grace,
Merka Man
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