THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The USAF firing team was practicing with a new rifle. One soldier shot so badly with it he was completely disgusted.
He said, "I think I'll just go shoot myself."
The sargent said, "You might wanna take two bullets son."
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Josh 20:2-3
2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
KJV
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The "cities of refuge" were strategically placed all over Israel so that anyone could reach them within 1/2 day. If a person suspected of wrongdoing did not make it quickly to one of the "cities of refuge" he might be found by the "avenger of blood." The object of having "cities of refuge" was that a person who had experienced trouble could reach one of them quickly and find safety. He would be then brought before judges to determine his guilt or innocence, and not left to die at the hands of vengeful kinsmen.
The pathways and highways were clearly marked to define the way to the "cities of refuge."
Our Lord Jesus is the "city of refuge" for mankind today. We are ALL guilty of sin every day. And we are all guilty of such "desperately wicked" sin that the "avenger of blood" (death) is constantly seeking to take our lives.
But the way to Christ is SHORT, as quickly as our next breath.
The way to our Lord Jesus is also CLEARLY MARKED -- by prayer.
The way to merciful justice is not a way of obedience to "this and that" in the law. It is a STRAIGHT road. It is a DIRECT path, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ , and thou shalt be saved," (Acts 16:31). We need only to fall before our Lord in humble surrender and beg His forgiveness in order to be taken into the "city of refuge," which is our Lord Himself.
The road to Christ is a PERFECT road. No self-righteous man might ever walk that road to the end, for we are ALL sinners ALL the time.
But it is an EASY road, and any humble sinner can find the direction through Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)
Have YOU been to the "city of refuge" today?
Love ya,
Bruce