Real Refuge

Based on Numbers 35-36, Mark 10:1-31

When do we feel safe & protected? Do familiar things keep us comfortable? Is it an earthly paradise which makes us feel most protected, or a strong fortress?

There are so many things which can put us at ease in this life, but only One gives us real refuge & a sense of security forever: that's our God!

"And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession." Numbers 35:27‭-‬28.

God even provides refuge to a killer! He gives cities for them to dwell in until they are fairly tried & judged. Our God is a God of justice! And, if He protects even those who have murdered, how much more will He provide refuge to those of us who simply ask!? The Scripture above tells us how the accused killer left the cities of refuge before the appointed time! In this case, the person even had a time of release & was not facing death, but brought death upon himself by leaving God's refuge too early! He was then an open target for the revenger to kill...don't let anyone seek revenge because you left your place of refuge!

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:26‭-‬27.

We can't let mixed up emotions cloud our judgment. We can't let impatience pull us out of God's safe place of refuge for us-and that safe place is His church! We can't let the comforts & riches of this life give us a false sense of security:

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:21‭-‬23.

We can't have the "rich young ruler" mentality, because he only had "rich young refuge." His refuge he built on his own would only last him so long. He was content keeping the commandments, but holding tight to his riches...instead of following after the Living Word standing right in front of him! Our idea of religion is not enough. We need Jesus, our living God, living & active inside of us. We need to be invested in His church, not the riches of this life. We need to store up treasures in Heaven & have an eternal perspective...that's where real refuge is! But we need to follow Jesus closely to get there!!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2:38-39.