Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 35:15,“These will serve as cities of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners who are temporary or permanent residents. Anyone who kills someone accidentally can escape to one of them.” (GNB)
When the people of Israel inherited the Promised Land, the Lord instructed them that six of the cities should be allotted as cities of refuge. These cities were assigned for those who accidentally killed someone, so that they could run into these cities, and find refuge from anyone who might pursue them with the intent to take revenge on them. There were many instructions pertaining to these cities of refuge in the bible. For instance, the entrance of these cities were to be kept open at all times, and anyone who ran into these cities were to be protected.
These cities of refuge were a foreshadow of something important that was to happen. As we study this in detail it is evident that these cities of refuge symbolized the coming of Jesus, the Son of God as a man to this earth so that He could be a refuge for all of mankind to be saved, blessed and protected. We can run to Jesus who is our refuge, and find true salvation and safety in Him.
Names of the six cities of refuge
Every one of these cities had a specific name and we read about it in Joshua 20:7-8, “So, on the west side of the Jordan they set aside Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Hebron, in the hill country of Judah. East of the Jordan, on the desert plateau east of Jericho, they chose Bezer in the territory of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead, in the territory of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, in the territory of Manasseh.” (GNB)
All of these six cities have Hebrew names and each also has a special meaning.
• The name of the first city is ‘Kedesh’ which means ‘holy.’ If there is one person whom we can call holy it the Lord Jesus. He came into this world through the Holy Spirit, and lived a holy life. On the cross Jesus bore the sins of all mankind on Himself.
• The name of the second city is ‘Shechem’ which means ‘shoulder.’ This refers to the cross that Jesus bore on His shoulder, where all of our sins, weaknesses and diseases were borne by Him.
• The name of the third city is ‘Hebron’ which means ‘friendship or fellowship.’ Jesus the sinless Son of God, by bearing the cross, and taking the sins of the world on Himself, made it possible for us to be in fellowship with God, and gave us the privilege to call God our Father.
The fourth city
We are studying the meaning of the name of the fourth city which was called ‘Bezer’ which means, ‘inaccessible place or stronghold or fortress.’ It is a place where no evil could come near.Bezer reminds us that God is a refuge to all those who trust in Him.
David found refuge in God
We read in 2 Samuel 22:2-3, He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. (ESV)
These were the words of David after King Saul died. If we were to look at the life of David, his beginnings were humble as a shepherd taking care of his father’s sheep. David was neglected by his family who was not even invited to any special event like the visit of the prophet Samuel to their home. When David took food for his brothers who were in the army they slighted him, and spoke ill of his motives. As David killed Goliath the Philistine warrior, God changed the plight of the Israelites from shame and disgrace to triumph and victory. Though David did so much of good for King Saul, he was unfairly hunted down by King Saul for many long years.
In his later years David’s son Absalom turned against his father, and captured the throne while his father still reigned over Israel. David had gone through betrayal, faced fear, encountered rage and had received evil for all the good that he had done. In spite of all that David went through, he came out victorious and was able to say, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.”
There may be those who have faced similar situations in your life earlier or may be going through such trials even now. So many are overwhelmed with loneliness even though they may be in a big family, and are overcome with a sense of abandonment. For many others you have done much good, and been repaid with ingratitude and evil. Still others are gripped with fear about the future.
Do we have the experience of David to run to God at all times? David ran to God for everything and remained safe under the Lord’s protection for he had made God his refuge and fortress. This can be true for all of us who believe, and put our trust in the Lord. God certainly becomes our refuge and fortress.
We often run to God only when men give up, and are unable to help us. Sometimes the doctors will tell us that there is nothing more that they can do, and at that time we turn to God. Like David we too must make the Lord our refuge and fortress and make Him the first person we run to in every situation that we face. The bible reminds us in Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”(ESV)
Let me give a few example from the bible of those who ran to the Lord for refuge.
1. The lack at a wedding
We read in John 2:3,“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."” (ESV)
There was a wedding at Cana of Galilee where Jesus and his disciples were also invited. Jesus’ mother Mary was also at the wedding. In those days wine was a very important part of the wedding celebrations, and this had run out. Mary, the mother of Jesus went immediately to Jesus, and brought it to His notice that there was no wine to serve the guests. Mary ran to Jesus, the stronghold.
In our weddings today when there is a lack of food the host will ask the caterer to do all he can to help tide over the situation or some would quickly run to the nearby hotels to order more food. Lack of food at a wedding is a shameful matter as this would be remembered for many long years even after the wedding is over.
If you are going through a season of deficit, and have no idea what to do, take the matter to Jesus who is your refuge and stronghold. Every humiliating situation, and every fear that is gripping you can be brought to Jesus, and placed at His feet.
This is God’s word in Isaiah 61:7,“Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.” (ESV)
Those who run to the Lord are promised that their shame will be replaced by a double portion of God’s blessing. They will possess a double portion of blessing in the land, and will have joy that is everlasting.
The command and the response
We read in John 2:7,Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. (ESV)
The Jews had a tradition to keep water in stone jars at the entrance so the guests could wash their feet before they entered a house. Jesus instructed the servants to fill the water jars with water.
As I meditated on this incident I realized that the stone jars can be compared to us, and the water that was poured into the jars can be compared to the word of God. The more we fill our hearts with the word of God to the full, all of the fears, confusions and doubts will vanish away. As the words of faith from God fill our hearts, we will certainly experience our miracle.
Notice how when the Lord wants to perform any task, He always wants to do it in partnership with us. Remember how Jesus told Peter to cast his net into the deep. At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus told the men who were there to remove the stone that was covering the tomb. Jesus desires that His children who have put their faith in Him should work alongside Him in work that He is doing. When we do so it is for sure that we will receive the miracle. Though we may not understand all of God’s commands, when we learn to obey, the Lord will perform the miracles that we are waiting for.
The astounding miracle
We read in John 2:10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." (ESV)
The Lord Jesus did a miracle, and when the wine was served it the guests were appalled because this wine was the one that the Lord provided. Through this miracle the glory of Jesus was revealed at the wedding to all who were present.
There are many things that we do with our own strength and wisdom, but instead if we learn to do things with God’s help everything we do will turn out to be truly sweet and pleasing to all. We too can run to Jesus, and give all of our shameful situations to Him. When we do so, He will show us the way to go and as we obey, we will surely experience the wonderful miracles that we are waiting for.
2. The prolonged illness
We read in Luke 8:43,“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.” (ESV)
Here was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. All of her living was wasted on doctors who could not give her a cure for the ailment. It was at this point that she heard about Jesus, and resolved that she would go to Jesus to receive her healing. This woman also believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be healed. Just imagine that if she had come to Jesus at the very onset of her problem, she would have been completely healed, and would have saved all of her money that she wasted on doctors.
Every time we are struck with some illness, the first thought is to take some medication or go to a doctor to get it cured. There’s nothing wrong with doctors or medication, but in our weakness, let us run first to the Lord for He has the power to heal us, and make us whole.
The healing
At the very moment when the woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was totally healed. She thought she could go away secretly, but this is what happened.
We read in Luke 8:47,“And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.” (ESV)
The Lord honored her faith openly, though that woman thought she could slip away quietly. Right there in the midst of the huge crowd that woman openly declared the amazing healing that she received by her act of faith in the Lord Jesus.
Be reminded that when you make the Lord your stronghold you will not keep your faith hidden, but will openly declare your testimony to everyone, and be a blessing to many. Oftentimes in the midst of our ill-health we get discouraged, and wonder how long this would prolong. Instead, come to the Lord who is our refuge for He is willing, and able to restore health and wholeness to your body. There are many who cannot even share openly the ailments that they are going through. Be encouraged,and know that the Lord has the power to bring total healing.
Jesus said to her in Luke 8:48,And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
Notice how Jesus addressed her as ‘daughter.’ On the one hand she came to Jesus, put her faith in Him and received her healing, but on the other hand Jesus honored her faith openly, and made her stand as a witness before all the people.
When the Lord takes away our weakness, may we stand to testify to God’s goodness in our lives.
3. The struggle with demonic oppression
We read in Mark 9:17-18,“And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able."” (ESV)
When the father brought his son who was tormented by an unclean spirit to the disciples, they were unable to help deliver the boy from his oppression.
There are many who are being distressed by strange voices that incite them to end their lives, telling them that they are of no worth or prompting them to flee elsewhere. Others see strange things, and are oppressed in various ways. Some go to men hoping for relief, but sadly the help that men can give is limited. Let us instead run to the Lord who is our stronghold.
God’s word reminds us that we have received freely and must give freely too. When we go to the Lord there is nothing that He expects from us. As we surrender our hearts to the Lord, He takes control, and He brings healing and deliverance.
The deliverance
We read in Mark 9:25,“And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."”(ESV)
Also we read in Mark 9:27,“But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” (ESV)
Jesus did not even touch the boy, but with just a word of rebuke He brought healing and total deliverance from the unclean spirit that tormented him.
We read in Matthew 8:16-17,“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."” (ESV)
One word from Jesus was enough to bring deliverance from demons, and healing to all who were sick. Verse 17 reminds us that Jesus came to take our illnesses and to bear our diseases, and these were prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah many hundreds of years earlier.
Let each of us make a decision that irrespective of what our circumstances are, through all the challenges we encounter from lack, or sickness, or oppression from the evil one, like David we will run to the Lord who is our stronghold. If we do so, most certainly the Lord will intervene to change all of our situations.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
