Prayer is our Refuge

Intro:

Joshua 20:2–3 NKJV

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

Tonight as we begin our revival services, I want to share with you from a passage of scripture that could easily be passed over. The title of my message is [Prayer is our Place of Refuge].

For five years the Lord allowed me travel as a full-time evangelist. I loved going to different churches, meeting new people, and traveling to diverse cities.

Bekah and I have been fortunate to travel as husband and wife. We too have been to unique places and various cities. The most overwhelming was New York City. After a few days, I thought, I HAVE GOT to get out of here!

I also think of the places I have lived. I was raised in Oklahoma City. I moved to Salem, Mo. Then I went to Rolla, Mo. Rolla has about 20,000 residents. I remember telling someone, I will never live in a town smaller than Rolla.

After going to so many cities, towns, or communities, I learned each city has something different to offer. Some are large others are small. Some you drive through often, others you HAVE to be going there to get there.

Then came 2015 and God brought me to Vulcan!

That is Vulcan. One man told me in another state, I have been through Vulcan, it was such a wonderful little town, actually I think I have been through there a couple of times.

Though he was sincere, I am not sure he 100% honest, you don’t get to Vulcan on accident. But of all the cities I visited, nothing quite compared to the cities we read about in our text, the Cities of Refuge.

Remember two weeks ago, when I spoke of Joshua. He led the Israelites slowly and methodically into the Promised Land. The people spent forty years wandering through the wilderness.

Now, we read of a generation of people who were ready to walk in God’s provision. They were going to {live in homes they didn’t have to build}, {eat from gardens they didn’t have to plant} and {inhabit a land given to them by the Lord.}

While this was an exciting prospect, it was not without their share of war. They had to enter the Promised Land with a determination to fight for what God had promised them.

By the time they defeated their enemies, Joshua is close to 90. He saw the faithfulness of the Lord and he finally dwelt in the land promised to him!

(Isn’t it wonderful that when we are faithful to the Lord, He will be faithful to us?)

From here we get to chapter 20 which could easily passed over, but I want us to notice the detail and the importance of these Cities of Refuge.

Refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger or trouble.

The purpose of the cities of refuge was defined in Numbers 35. Moses took extensive time to tell the next generation of Israelites where to place the cities of refuge.

These cities of refuge were more than asylums or sanctuary cities, places that will harbor and protect guilty criminals. Instead, the cities of refuge were for those who had NOT YET been proven guilty.

As we continue to commit this year to prayer, I want us to take this peculiar passage of scripture to show us that PRAYER is our refuge. We possess a safe place when we call on God in prayer.

Let’s look at these cities of refuge and see their connection concerning prayer. I have three points: [The Cities of Refuge were a Safe Place], [The cities of Refuge were a Secure Place], and [The Cities of refuge were a Situated Place].

1. A Safe Place

Joshua 20:2–3 NKJV

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

(What was the purpose of a city of refuge?)

Remember Refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger or trouble.

Therefore, these cities were established to protect those who were in trouble, not just any trouble, but those who had committed a specific crime.

The crime they were protected from was manslaughter. Manslaughter is the unintentional murder of someone.

If their crime was not premeditated, the individual could find a safe place in this city of refuge. Moses was very specific about this. (Why would they need a safe place for someone who committed manslaughter?)

In those days, if this were to happen, it was the responsibility of the relative of the person who had been killed to avenge their relative’s death.

Numbers 35:19–20 NKJV

19 The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies,

Therefore, if they were to avenge their loved one’s death and the person who committed the crime unintentionally then the innocent blood of two people would be spilled blood on the land.

In their primitive society, there was no distinction between {intentional} and {unintentional} murder, they simply wanted vengeance for their relative.

We can see that God was helping them to understand and see the distinctions between to two. If they could get to a city of refuge, they had time for someone to {review their case} and {determine their guilt.}

The cities of refuge were a safe place…

2. A Secure Place

Joshua 20:4–6 NKJV

4 And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in the hearing of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. 5 Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand. 6 And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’ ”

Not only were they safe for the accused, they were also secure, meaning, wen the person arrived they were secure. If the avenger of the blood came, they were not permitted to attack the accused.

When they arrived to the gates of one of the six cities of refuge, they were safe. They had to:

· explain what happened,

· then they would take them and provide them a place to stay until

· the case had been examined and investigated.

Even though they were secure, it is interesting that their doors were always open. Anyone could come day or night to a city of refuge and find safety and security.

They were easily accessible and they were widely advertised.

(Why were they always opened, easily and acceptable and widely advertised?) Because they were instituted by God long before they were needed.

God instructed both generations of Israelites to have the cities. {To those traveling in the wilderness and in Numbers 35} and {to the Joshua Generation in Deuteronomy 19}.

That is something I love about the Lord. He did not wait until after someone was accused of manslaughter to solve a problem. He is always proactive. In His love for His people, He wanted to make sure they were safe and their lives were protected.

Therefore, He instructed His people to make places were protection would be provided for the wrongly accused and the innocent.

Once someone entered one of these six cities, {not only were they safe}, {they were also secure} knowing they would be granted a fair trial and review of their situation.

The cities of refuge were a safe place, a secure place and…

3. A Situated Place

Joshua 20:7–9 NKJV

7 So they appointed Kedesh in Galilee, in the mountains of Naphtali, Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron) in the mountains of Judah. 8 And on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness on the plain, from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwelt among them, that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation.

God instructed Joshua where to specifically place each of these cities.

First we notice they were either on a {mountain} or on {a plain}, meaning they were situated in such a way that people could see them easily.

It is not as though they were in a spot were people would have to search and walk for miles find.

They were on the mountains high enough that if the accused was running for their life, they could look up and see the city of safety and security situated ahead of them.

Or they were on a plain, where it could be easily found.

Some historic sources say that the Israelites went to great lengths to make these cities accessible.

Every spring people would take time to:

· repair the roads that went to the city.

· build bridges over rivers that could block their path.

· move any rocks or stones that would stand in the way.

They wanted to make sure the accused individual had the easiest route possible for their safety and security.

Furthermore, I read that each city was strategically situated in such a way that one could get there in one day’s journey.

We see that these were not thrown together without thought, God had them situated in such a place that they were {easily recognized} and {easily acceptable}.

Close:

The Cities of Refuge were a [Safe Place,] [a Secure Place] and [a Situated Place.]

As I was reading this and studying this, I realize it could seem somewhat peculiar that there are three chapters in the Old Testament dedicated to provided a safe haven for someone who has murdered another.

But I want us to turn to

Hebrews 6:17–20 NKJV

17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking of the promise God made to Abraham that {I will bless you} and {multiply you}. And if God made this oath, and He is not a man that can lie, we can have assurance in His promises!

So remember, God made a promise to Joshua, I will protect those who have shed innocent blood until they can get a fair trial.

The promise He made in the Old Testament still applies today. They had a city of refuge for those who were innocent, and we too have a refuge, a place of refuge!

Hebrews 6:18, NLT, “So God has given us both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore we who have FLED to Him for REFUGE can take new courage for we can hold on to His promise with confidence!”

(Who are the people who have fled to Christ for refuge?) We are those people. We have FLED to God for refuge and have found safety in Jesus!

(How does this connect with the cities of refuge of Joshua 20?)

The cities of refuge protected those who had shed innocent blood unintentionally.

If we think back over each of our lives, there was a time when we were lost in sin. We were consumed with temptation and the cares of this life. But one day, {we heard about Jesus} and {we listened to the story of how He shed His blood},

He did not deserve to die. He did not have to die. But He chose to shed His blood! (Why?) Because of {our sin} and {our shame} that Jesus had to die on the cross for sins He never committed.

But just as God took care of the accused of the Old Testament providing them a place of [safety] and [security], God has [situated] for us a place of safety and security!

We have an enemy who has accused us night and day before God.

Revelation 12:9–11 NKJV

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

In God’s great love and mercy has established a place of refuge. The enemy has accused us day and night, but he no longer has power. For NOW salvation and strength has come and we can overcome by the blood of the LAMB!

We have a place of refuge.

Thankfully this city of refuge is not confined to a certain place, but it is introduced through a person! Our City of Refuge, is ALWAYS Open, because Jesus is ALWAYS ready and willing for accept us, even in our sin.

He is the city of safety! [When we are with Him we are safe from the accusations of the enemy.]

He is the city of security! [When we are with Him, we are safe from the attacks of the enemy until the day we are judged.]

And He is situated where He is available day and night! [All we have to do is call His name!]

It is interesting to read the names of the cities of refuge in Joshua. I do not always see significance in Bible names, but there are some here.

· Kedesh- signifies holy and we know that our refuge, {No wonder the heaven is filled with singing, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come!}

· Shechem- means shoulder, and {the prophet Isaiah told us that, the Government shall rest upon His Shoulders!}

· Hebron- means fellowship, {and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ}

· Bezer- means fortification or fortress, {so I will say of the lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him I will trust.}

· Ramoth- means high or exalted, {that is why God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name!}

· Golan- means joy and exultation, {so we will exalt the Lord with Joy unspeakable and fully of glory}

[We have a refuge from this dark and dreary world!]

{Yes we were born into sin}, {yes we are often tempted and tested}, but the simple fact is this,

· There is a place of refuge for the sinner to be saved.

· There is a place of refuge for the tempted to be relieved.

· There is a place of refuge for the believer to receive power.

· There is a place of refuge for the sick to be healed.

· There is a place of refuge for the lost to be found.

· There is a place of refuge for the discouraged to be encouraged.

· There is a place of refuge for the hopeless to find hope.

· There is a place of refuge for the Christian to be {renewed}, {refreshed} and {revived}!

And we can enter this place of refuge when we PRAY. When we communicate with God. When we call on His name!

So I stand with the Psalmist who declared,

Psalm 46 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Today, remember when we pray to Jesus, He becomes our City of Refuge; He is situated so close where we can always be safe and secure!

And I believe at this altar, people will find this place of refuge. I want everyone in our community to know our church is a city of refuge.

There is room for {those in sin}, {those who are sick}, {those who are suffering}, and {those who need the Spirit baptism}.

In a world that is full of concern and confusion, remember, PRAYER is our place of refuge. We are safe and secure when we situation ourselves in God’s presence through prayer.