Vital signs- Thursday, July 27th, 2023

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is our place of refuge?

To fully understand what this means, we have to go back to ancient laws. When someone was killed accidentally, the guilty party would need to travel to another city in order to avoid retaliation. These cities were known as cities of refuge (Exodus 21:12-14; Deuteronomy 19:5-6).

The entire process is detailed in Joshua 20:1-9:

• The accused would flee to one of the cities of refuge.

• At the gates and in the presence of the elders, that person would explain what happened that got them into the situation in the first place.

• The elders would then allow the person who had killed the other to stay in that city, protected from an avenger, until his case could be examined by the congregation—the city council—or until that priest died.

• At that time, if the accused was found innocent, he would be permitted to return to his family without any fear of reprisal.

These cities foreshadowed our Savior. Long before we knew that we needed to be saved from an avenger, God had already devised a wonderful plan to make it possible for you and me to run to Jesus and find all we need in Him. He is God’s plan for rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

-Where do you take refuge?

-Keep your focus on Jesus, your ultimate source of safety and worth!

Team Wade loves you and is praying for you ❤️👊