Refuge

“Now if the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you the land which He promised to give to your fathers,
and if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and to walk always in His ways, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three,
lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and thus bloodguiltiness be upon you.” Deuteronomy 19:8-10

These verses were dealing with the cities of refuge, where those who had accidentally killed someone could go. We see God’s desire to add even more such cities, so innocent blood might not be shed.

Oh Lord, may our hearts be turned toward the innocent, those who need protection and care. We do not forget the innocent blood You shed for us all, redeeming us from our guilt and shame, becoming our own City of Refuge. And here’s a simple poem . . .

An Inheritance

This land is special
at the center of His heart
prepared and given
set aside and apart
to not be like any other
where life is profaned
but the bearer of His promise
His love and His name.

Seeking Refuge

“But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled,
and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood because he should have remained in his city of refuge . . .” Numbers 35:26-28

Six cities of refuge were provided for those who accidentally killed someone. If they didn’t seek refuge there, then they would be in danger of being killed as well.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Refuge and High Tower, the only place where I am safe and saved from the death of my sins. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Safe Refuge

As hungry deer
walk the streets at midnight
and the one-eared cat
nervously eats
I run to You
for safe refuge
staying within the sound
of Your heart’s beat.