A City of Refuge
I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defence And refuge in the day of my trouble.
Psalm 59:16
In the Old Testament era, cities of refuge (Num. 35:6) were established to be a safe haven for people who had accidentally killed someone (manslaughter) and were needing protection. God had the people establish such cities to provide that refuge.
This concept, however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and troubles of life. We read in Psalm 59:16-17, “I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defence, my God of mercy.”
For the hurting heart of every generation, our “city of refuge” is not a place. Our city of refuge is a Person; the God who loves us with an everlasting love. May we each find our refuge and rest in Him.
Bible Reading
Psalm 59:10-17.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, and loving Heavenly Father, You are my place of refuge, my safe stronghold, and my hiding place. I thank You for the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and His wonderful work on the cross for a sinner like me. Amen.
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