Special Places

I want invite you to join me in the Book of Numbers will be continuing our series of numbers. In fact, we only got a couple times left in the Book of Numbers will be in Numbers chapter 35, this morning Numbers chapter 35

America is a very Mobile Nation, did you know that last year? 32 million Americans, moved 32 million. That's one out of ten moved in the last year. In fact, that many of you moved how many moved in the last year, number of you move change to dresses. It's been the way things have gone. We are very Mobile Nation. In fact, the average American moves 12 times in their lifetime. So constantly changing the whole lot of U-Haul trucks and trailers and packing and unpacking and change of address kits. And all those things I was curious where people are moving to last year. The two top states were Idaho in South Carolina who'da thought top two states where people moving from, New York New Jersey Illinois. By the way, Kansas ranked number six, people moving away from more people. Moving out there. Moving in. See how that works. Moving is a lot of work. Nobody looks forward to moving, really. It's so much of a hassle, we don't mind getting there, but the process is kind of painful. Remember seeing a guy with a pickup truck, some years ago had a sticker on the back of his pickup truck. It said, yes. This is my truck and no, I won't help you move the truck, doesn't it? That's the feeling that we all have about moving, but moving is a part of life. And as we return to the Book of Numbers, we see a whole lot of people that the whole nation that's moving and they're moved, took them for two years, aren't you? Thankful your moves? Don't take you 40 years. 40 Years of a moving experience, across the Wilderness. The Book of Numbers about people moving both physically and spiritually as their hearts wander. Through the Wilderness experience, it's quite a story and it was much longer than it ought to have been because of their wandering Hearts. The Book of Numbers is about people moving both, physically, and spiritually. And now is, when do the home stretch of numbers just a couple times today, and one more time in the Book of Numbers, we see, This experience coming to an end chapter, 33 of numbers is a travel. Lock it recounts all the stops along the way? It's sort of a diary or Journal of the Travels chapter 34, lays out the tribal boundaries that will be described for those who are going to inherit that land. So those are both kind of a kind of a travel log and then kind of a map chapter. So we're going to move on to chapter 35 this morning where we see two special places as God laid out his plan for the promised land in the possession of Promised Land. Hit in a fight out front, that they're going to be too special kinds of places that he determined should be in the promised land for Israel. We're going to find out about those two places this morning, what they're all about. That will be our Focus as we open up chapter 35. Please join me in chapter, 35 will start with the first 5 verses of chapter, 35 and numbers. First one, and the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho saying, command the children of Israel that they give delete. Cities to dwell in from the inheritance from their possession and you should also give the Levites common land around the cities. They still have the cities to dwelling and their common land should be for their cattle for the herd. And for all the animals, the common land of the Cities, which you will give to the Levites show, extend from the wall of the city outward, a thousand cubits all around a thousand cubits, by the way, it's about 500 yards in case you want a comparison. First five, and you show a measure outside, the city on these two thousand cubits or a thousand yards we could say. And on the Southside, 2,000 cubits on the westside. 2,000 cubits in. On the North side, 2,000 cubits from the city should be in the middle that she'll be along to them as they come and land for the city this morning, we're going to discover their two special places that God had for special purpose. And they really tell us something about God's care for his people. Because while our particulars are different, the principles and concerns of God are quite the same. Here's the first special place. God determined that they should find in the, in the land of A place to find satisfaction that is the cities of the Levites that we just read about? Those were a place where places 48 of them to be precise where they could find satisfaction, where they can have their needs supplied, as they entered and possess the land. All Levi received was cities 48 total and the lands immediately surrounding them. The 12 tribes were given their own criminal and described in the preceding chapter. They all had vast tracts of land, except for Levi, they got small villages, little town spread around there called cities. But in all reality, they were probably more like, we would call a village or a hamlet, you know, very small and limited to that and the surrounding acreage for grazing to all leave. I got was a small parcel. Small Parcels the land with cities and some acres for grazing. What is the location of these? They're spread all around the land of Canaan. All around the promised land there on both sides of the Jordan River as Israel settled their spread throughout and the chapter we read talks about the diagram there, it gives the extent as it, you can see it's a very small village because it's only about a thousand yards around just a square with in the middle of small village and then some grazing or pasture land around it kind of a minimalistic approach. Probably not enough to sustain them, they would probably be depended on the offerings and support of the rest of the tribes to sustain their lives. So why were the Levites to disperse this? What I believe it's in part so that the tribes would each give equal share. So the Twelve Tribes, it wasn't like one tribe gave all the land. It was like, all them shared equally and donating parts of their land. As you can see, these are very small Parcels so somebody calculated this that it's probably about one-tenth of 1% of all the land of Israel that was given to the Levites. Tenth of a percent, that's pretty small, pretty small, pretty limited, our possessions that they received. But what was the larger purpose? I believe the larger purpose were spreading them around, instead of giving them one Central tribal place was to intermingle the Levites among, the people remember the Levi Ted two primary functions. One was to facilitate, the worship of the Lord. God, they ran the Tabernacle at Temple later, and I took care of all the worship. They were that worship ministers, if you will, but they had a second function, which was equally important. And that was that they were the teachers of the law. So it doesn't make sense that if God had teachers, he would spread them around to where the people are so that they could teach an exposed to people to God's truth. And that's I believe what the bigger purpose was and spreading them around. So the purpose of the special places was that they would Minister, the spiritual needs and the people they were serving would Minister to their material needs. In other words, let me put it like this. The purpose was meeting, one another's needs to see the Change the, The Exchange is going on the Levites ministered spiritually to the other Twelve Tribes, the Twelve Tribes ministered, materially back in turn. So it was mutually beneficial, they were meeting. Each other's needs spiritual and material, the tribes, provided the Levites, their material needs as they gave offerings a portion, went to the Levites, the Levites provided the tribe spiritual need to say served and taught God's word Faithfully. We see the same principle of exchange going on in the New Testament. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, and he asked this question do Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working who goes toward his own expense? Paula saying that those who are gospel. Workers goes, where vocational Ministries if you will are entitled to support than the people? They serve and he gives it an LG. Do soldiers. Go to war with your own expense that many soldiers in the congregation when you last employer, did they say we can't pay you your on your own Finance? Your needs course not. They not because nobody does that and Paul and Barnabas her making the point that so, it ought to be. In fact, he concludes if we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material, things exchange going on, so spiritually, reciprocate materially. And that's the principle that we see from cover-to-cover throughout the scriptures. The Levites were giving a modest Earthly inheritance because they're real inheritance was the Lord. His promises. Listen what it said back in numbers 18, the Lord said to Aaron, you shall have no inheritance in the land. Nor should you have any portion among them? I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. What is the Lord saying to Levi to all device, to send it to saying, your inheritance is not here. Now it's me, I'm your inheritance. You've got a better inheritance coming so focused on that, not the here and now but the yet to come let me suggest a lesson a lesson for us from the Levites. We should like them learn to be content with our portion. Isn't contentment a rare quantity over quality. It's hard to find a contented person. Is it not? And yet, I believe that's one of the lessons that we get from the cities of the Levites. These places of satisfaction these places that God meant for them, but let me give a word. First two, vocational ministers to pastors the teachers to missionaries, which we have several in our congregation. Listen as the Lord took care of the Levites needs, he limited their lands and possessions, so they wouldn't be tempted to lose focus and get distracted. I think that's why Paul said in Philippians, as he thanked the letter, fill out the church at Phillipi for supporting, and he said, I have learned in all states, whatever Stadium to be content, appreciate Paul, admitted. He learned to be content whether he had much and was a bounding, or where they had little in was a based, he learned to be content in either 6. If you are serving the lord enable K tional Ministry be content, learn to be content with the ministry in the provisions. God is giving you because he is your inheritance inheritance. Your Treasures are not here in this world where they shouldn't be, they should be in the next. Let me give a word to the congregation. The Lord calls us to meet each other's needs, you support spiritual leader so they can support your spiritual needs. If God is ministering to you through a Ministry through a church, then it's reasonable for you to support them materially because that's the way God has designed his economy. That one Minister spiritually. The other ministers materially, everybody has a part. Everybody is equally important for the success of the operation. Let me take a just a little different direction. Learn to be content with your portion. God desires that we be content in the state that were in, whether we're serving him and Vocational Ministry, or not, whatever. Call to do in life. God desires that we be content with his probation. David. The king of Israel was not a levite and yet he says a couple times in the Psalms Lord. You are my portion or wait a minute. I thought that was true for the Levites, but the fact is, it's true for all God's people. He is our portion, our Treasures are not supposed to be here on Earth, but they're in heaven. Where Jesus says, we have a promise, we have a future to look forward to, let's be careful to learn to be content here and now be content with your portion. Whatever God determines have to be for today, your job, your family situation, your home your life be content, that's God's intend for us to learn to be content. David lived as a Sojourner, Pilgrim, in this world, this world was not his home and so it should be for us. The point is our treasure, our inheritance is not here. One of the places God determined for the land of Israel was the place of satisfaction teaches us something about contentment with what God offers. Let's look at another place. Let's continue on chapter 35, Germany, verse 9, I show you a second special place. Got set aside for the land that he gave his people first time the Lord spoke to Moses saying speak to the children of Israel, say, to them, when you cross the Jordan, to the land of Canaan that you show up points cities to be Cities of Refuge for you that the man-slayer who kills any person accidentally May flee, their they should be City of Refuge for you from the Avenger that the man-slayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment, and of the Cities, which you give you shall have six Cities of Refuge. You show point three cities on this side of Jordan and Tri-Cities you show a point in the land of Canaan, which will be the Cities of Refuge. So the first special place where the 48 cities of a levite among those 48 cities 6 had a secondary function as Cities of Refuge. And here's, I believe the point, the Lord is making. There's a place to find safety. That was the design of the Cities of Refuge. It were to be shelter for people who are at risk, who are in danger. What was the danger when somebody accidentally caused a fatality? Which unfortunately happens among the 48 cities of the Levites. Six were designated Cities of Refuge. If you want to see how they look visually, I can throw to map them out, you can see the red dots, Mark the Cities of Refuge there proximate location. So you get the idea, they're dispersed to be accessible to everyone right there available. So if you're in trouble, you don't have real fire to go to get to a place of refuge. And safety, that was the intent of the Lord. In fact, the cities and routes were clearly marked with signs. And well, laid-out roads that people could eat We find in traffic across these six cities had a purpose. The purpose was simply to offer Sanctuary to people at risk. It was to offer Sanctuary to people at risk. You see? In this situation we have the land of Israel setting up and they didn't really have a police force. They didn't have people that would be detectives and go resolve the crime and figure out who did it and whether they're guilty or not, it was on the families in the Clans to enforce Justice and standards. So this was set up to prevent a wrongful death situation, getting even worse after an accidental death. The accused could flee and be safe rather than becoming a victim of the vigilante, justice or Vengeance. So, this was a necessary procedure. Well, how did it work? Let's look at the protocol after a deadly accident. The person to cost is that could flee to any one of the Cities of Refuge, where they would be safe until such time as the k. Could be resolved. Verse 15, D6 City Shelby for refuge for the children of Israel for the stranger, and for the sojourn among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally May flee there. So another words, it was open to all people, not just the Jewish people, but even the strangers and Sojourner Center on Jews among them, it was made for all people that they could find a place of shelter if they were in danger. Again, in ancient Israel, there were no police. So communities, took it upon themselves to punish crimes, typically, when there was a death, the only satisfactory payment for that was another death. So the Avenger of blood as he's called with take that on his own hands. It'll take a couple times. This passage the Avenger of blood out this week. That Avenger of blood is the same word translated in the Book of Ruth has the kinsman-redeemer who was the kinsman-redeemer, the Avenger wealth, depends on which job they were doing but it was typically a senior male. One of the families who would have responsibilities legally for the rest of the family. So if a relative of lost a piece of land or had to sell it, they would help get it back. Or if somebody was sold into slavery they would help redeem them or in the case of Ruth Boaz was that kinsman-redeemer who stepped in to meet the need. Very interesting. How this works in the case of a wrongful death or what appeared to be a murder. This person would have the responsibility to enforce that to see that Justice was done. And later in this chapter, it says they would be the one who would cause the execution to be done on that person. No. Don't think about mafia-type enforcers, not like that. It simply person who is executing Justice in the right sense, as God had designed it to be. So this law provided safety, until a proper hearing can be conducted once granted refuge. In the case of manslaughter, the perpetrator was confined to the city and definitely and definitely, let's continue on with this passage. 26. If the manslayer anytime goes outside the limits of the City of Refuge, where you plead and the Avenger of blood or a kinsman, redeemer find some outside the limits of the City of Refuge and the Avenger of blood kills to manslayer. He shall not be guilty of blood because you should have remained in the City of Refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, a manslayer May return to land of his possession to see what the word is setting up here. Lord, of setting up a compromise, a safety situation. So people don't react in Anger before they have the facts and commit an injustice by killing someone who did actually commit murder or intend to commit murder and it also gets a compromised. So we're as the family who lost a loved one might not be able to exact full revenge. And ancient Society, none, the less that person who caused the death is limited to the confines of several Acres until the death of the high priests. When they were pardoned, fully very interesting. You might be thinking, how did they know if it was an accidental death or somebody really meant to kill someone else? Well, that's a good question In this passage gets into that look at verse 16, but if he strikes in with an iron, implements that he dies, he's a murderer. The murderer shall surely. Be put to death. And if you strike him with a stone in The Hand, by which one could die and he does die, he's a murderer in the murder. Should surely be put to death. If he strikes him with a wooden hand Weapon by which one could die and he does die, he's a murderer and the murderer shall surely be put to death the Avenger of blood himself shall put the murder to death when he meets them they should put him to death and it goes on and gets all these different scenarios. So what are we saying here? Let me summarize it this way. What's Happening Here is this who was protected, anyone who causes an accidental death, we would call it manslaughter caused a fatality, buy some action, but it was unwitting, they didn't know, or didn't do it. Intentionally, an accidental death is the case. And that is protected, if the death is accidental, the person can be resolved then given refuge and stay alive. It's sort of a compromise the guilty person loses their freedom but keeps their life by the way. If this sounds kind of harsh or barbaric, think about what ancient cultures were like. It was very calm and have blood feuds. In other words, if somebody over there, killed one of my relatives, we're going to fight and there's going to be not just one more person dead, but a lot of people dead and that's the way it was often done in ancient cultures and in fact, can I say there's still any place in the world today that practice the same? This was a gracious stuff that God gave to limit and contain the loss and suffering that would be caused. So it doesn't extend to become family on family violence in perpetuity. So God was getting Grace and showing this not only to the person but to all the families Who were involved so who's protected people that caused an accidental death? In other words manslaughter who's not protected, murderers murderers. If you strike somebody, you assault somebody with a potentially deadly weapon and they die, you just committed murder and you're not given the protection. Now you might run to the City of Refuge and no preserve your life until you can be tried. Before the congregation, you'll notice, it says, the congregation makes a judgment. They adjudicate the case and decide was their intent, or was it accidental if it was intent? If it was malicious, the person used a deadly weapon or did something that was in a salt or it will say later if they had enmity with a person. If they knew that this person hated that person, consider them and me, that would be considered. And so the congregation will make a judgment on whether this was murder or manslaughter and treat the case accordingly. Now, whether it was manslaughter or murder, the passage will the tale that a bribe was not acceptable. Verse 31, verse 31 says, moreover, you shall take no ransom for the laugh of murder was guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death and you should take no ransom for him. He's fled to his City of Refuge that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest. What is that saying that saying that, if you took a life, there's no way to pay your way out of that. There's no bribe or fine, that will satisfy that debt, only the death of another person. If somebody murdered somebody else their life must be given an exchange. If somebody caused manslaughter caused an accidental death, their freedom is gone until the death of the high priest. She might wonder how long does it take to the high priest to die? Well, that's something. I'm sure. They pondered long and hard, the fact is, it could be weeks, it could be months, it could be years. It could be decades, either way, The point is this, a death can only be a tone for by another death and that's the way it works. Blood must be a tone for by Blood. So why is it such a big deal? Look at the end of the chapter verse 33 and 34 why does God can care so much about this. Why did he set up the special? Place a City of Refuge? Why is he so interested in the potential of of a murder or manslaughter first 33 will not pollute the land where you are for blood defiles the land and no one can be made for the lamp for the blood, that is shed on it, except by the blood of him whom shut it. Therefore do not defile the land with you and have it in the midst of which I dwell for, I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel. God is saying here that the reason he cares about the shedding of blood is because it defiles the land. And it's his holy land where he means to live with his people. God cares about it. Why is it such a big deal? The scriptures will uniformly testify that people are made in the image of God. There for murder is an attack on God. That is the implication. Why does God care about life? Because he gave it as a gift. And when you take it, wrongfully from somebody else, you're not only attacking that person, you're attacking that person creator. The one who gave life and you snatched away. God cares about life to protect life. He always has. You don't have to read more than four chapters into the Bible Genesis. For, before you see the first born person Cain murdering his brother Abel, and God says his blood cries out to me from the ground later, in Genesis chapter 9, the principles established After the flood, whoever sheds man's blood by man, his blood shall be shed for the image of God. He made, man, Some have said that that is the principal, the foundation of all human government, that the good of the many is able to somehow limit the actions of the one or few, who would hurt work or mitigate against the rest? So, another words, God gave the responsibility for society to police itself to make sure that there was ordered to make sure that there was protection. Whoever sheds, a man's blood by man, his blood shall be shed for in the image of God. He made, man, The Ten Commandments forbids murder and the law of Moses required. Anyone who deliberately took another person's like to Forfeit their own life. Not what is this song mean? For us today? As I was thinking about the passage last week, it occurs to me. It's an interesting thing in our society, that we see the value of life being depreciated. Have you noticed that? We have a society in which we get things just frankly backwards. We often don't hold murders accountable. It seems in our society and yet we throw away the lives of The Unborn. Why are Christians? Why are most committed Christians pro-life at against abortion? The reason is because babies are made in the image of God. There are people and those who shed the blood of the innocent will give account for that. The scripture says that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. God will hold accountable societies. Who value life? Now, having said all that, isn't it interesting that the scriptures consistently, uphold the value of life and yet also pulled the death penalty for those who take life, that seems Seems contradictory to people who are critical to society, who do it just the other way. Our contemporary culture seems to get a backwards, we failed to hold people accountable for murder and yet discard the lives of innocent children. This is exactly backwards from the scripture because God values life, so much that he won't allow people to indiscriminately carry on indefinitely and taking the lives of others Society has given that responsibility to Value life to protect life, which means valuing the life of The Unborn value in the life of all people, no matter the situation, young or old, but also holding accountable. Those who would take life indiscriminately That's the scripture that says the scriptures in, those are the value said, God has given us. He values his life, he values life and so I must wait. So let's think about these Cities of Refuge. They're not only covered here in detail, but there later given a whole chapter in the book of Joshua is an important part of the Old Testament economy. So was that mean for us are we supposed to set up some City of Refuge? Or what is the what is the relevance for you? And me this morning, let me suggest several parallels. In fact, I find it interesting in the book of Hebrews. The writer key Bruce says that coming to Christ is like fleeing to our refuge Christ. Is our refuge. Let me suggest it the Cities of Refuge, I really appreciate about Jesus. They're really preparing us to understand who Jesus is. Let me show you some of the comparisons, the Cities of Refuge are really the same as Jesus Christ, the Cities of Refuge and Christ really are the same in so many ways. He was the first wave both offer Sanctuary. You get in? You say, if you linger outside and you're at risk, Jesus said himself, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. Jesus has the Refuge that we seek from the Destroyer who would take our life. We're like that person running for Refuge trying to get in the gates where we're safe, and that's the picture of the Cities of Refuge. And it's the picture of Jesus, the Cities of Refuge, preach Jesus to us. Both are close at hand. You've seen the map? No one was ever far from safety ancient Jewish writings describe the roads to the Cities of Refuge. They say these cities were not only marked by time post saying Refuge they had road signs point in the way. And these roads, by the Jewish custom work twice as wide as all the other Road in and Israel. Why is that they were twice as wide and they worked hard to make them level and smooth for traffic. The point being, they want to make sure there's nothing to hinder your access, then that really the way Christ. As well. Nothing hinders our access to the road is clear, open available. Well, marked, well, laid out. That's the point Christ is close at hand. He is available. There's nothing that needs to come between you and him, you know, when I was young college student and searching for answers, I started reading the New Testament. I didn't understand it. I knew it wasn't right with God. I didn't understand how to get right with God, but I figured the answers got to meet her somewhere. So, I start reading the Bible, and I was reading Matthew, and I wasn't really getting it. And I came to Matthew 7:7, where Jesus says, ask and it shall be given you seek, and you shall find knock and the door, shall be opened unto you, and it was kind of like a flashing light, saying, keep looking built. You're getting closer to getting closer. Keep looking well, that's the way the Lord is, he wants us to find him. In fact, if you start searching for the Lord, you find out, he's already been looking for you. Jeremiah, the prophet said in chapter 29, you shall search for me, and find me when you seek me with all your heart, that God can be found. He's not hiding. He wants you. He's searching for you. He gave his son for you. Believe in him and find eternal life. That is the message. Christ is close at hand, just like the Cities of Refuge.

Christ in the Cities of Refuge are both open to all comers. This chapter carefully, identifies that this is not just for the Jewish people to be protected. It's for the stranger and sojourn among you. In other words, it's for anybody Gentile joo-young old popular unpopular. Bridgeport doesn't matter. It's available to anyone, anyone to come find Refuge here, then that's the way Christ is he doesn't respect one person more than the other. He makes himself available to all persons all the time. It doesn't matter Christ give salvation to Rich or poor white or black young or old Wicked or self-righteous rich or poor the the Harvard grad or the high school dropout it doesn't matter can come equally to Christ. Jesus said come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest notice, he said, come to me all all all means. All right. So anyone can come to Christ, you can come Christ, no matter who you are or where you been, what you've done, you can come to Christ, that's the message of the Cities of Refuge, another one. We said that the high priest had to die to set pardon for the people who are guilty. Isn't it interesting? That both the Cities of Refuge in Christ provide pardoned by another's death, and the case of the person who committed manslaughter, they were set free in part so they could go home and resume their life free of any consequence. After the high priest, if you see the death had to atone for the deaf and high priest was kind of worthy of atonement in the same fashion Christ. Jesus had to die to atone us, to give us a pardon, we are pardoned, not because we've done well or promise to do better in the future where pardon because another died for us, Jesus Christ, the son of God, put on flesh, lived Among Us died. On the cross, gave up his life for us and then he rose again from the dead on the third day and all who believe in him shall be saved and given life forever. Arden just as if it never happened, that's the beauty of the Gospel. Can I give you a news flash? We're all guilty of murder. Did you know that all guilty of murder? Jesus said, you've heard that? It was said of those of old, you shall not murder. Whoever murders will be in danger of judgment, but I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother without a, cause she'll be in danger of judgment the word sets, the bar, pretty high, doesn't he know if I hated somebody without, cause if I've been angry at somebody without justification, I've already put myself in the place of judgment we to just like those people running to the City of Refuge need a pardon from God. But I've got some good news. You don't have to wait any longer for the high priest to die already happened. Jesus our high priest died on the cross and rose again from the dead. So we don't have to wait weeks days months years for him to die and get a pardon. The part is already available, it's on the table. All you have to do is take it up believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ. You should be safe is the promise of scripture and the promise available to each of us today. So what's the lesson? We all should take away from the Cities of Refuge? Let me summarize it in one sentence when you're guilty run to Christ. Simple enough, when you're guilty run to Christ, there's no other place, no other alternative run to Christ, come to him for salvation, for forgiveness of sins, notice, there is an urgency to Salvation it. If you weren't somebody who unintentionally caused a death and you know, the City of Refuge is about five miles that way. You're probably not going to take a couple days to think about, should I go there or not? You probably kind of you're probably going to set a new record getting there and let things settle out. That's an urgency that I think we often miss today but if you're not a Believer, if you've not had your sins forgiven, why take a chance and wait? Why linger come to Christ now? Run to Christ. Come to him. Now today is the day of salvation come. Now when the Apostle Paul was witnessing to a man called Felix, Felix was very interested in the gospel story that Paul told them but his response was go away for. Now when I have a convenient time I will call you far as we know there was never a convenient time. Listen, if you don't find today, convenient, when will you find Convenient come to Christ? Today, believe in him today. Today is the day of salvation. Well this morning, we looked at these two special places that tells a lot about God in his care for people a place to find satisfaction and a place to find safety. Both are offered in Christ. Christ is our place of Refuge refuge in his help, as the writer of Hebrew, said we lie to him for Refuge. We come down, these are our strong Fortress, our security or safety. This is a very uncertain World crisis, a very certain savior, a very certain refuge and safety in times of trouble, come to him. If you're looking for satisfaction, if you're looking for Sanctuary, he provides it, he provides it today in full, will you pray with me Father in heaven? We thank you for this Old Testament story, which was written for our instruction. These things happen to them as examples for us and where the example speak, clearly that you are the source of our satisfaction, may, we be satisfied and you forgive us for Can we get Restless when we desire more than you've offered today? May we learn to be content with a portion to give us for today. Today, we enjoy your blessings today. You've given a strength in a measure of Health today, you've given us people who care about us, you've given us things, you've given us your son, what more can we ask? Lord help us to be a contented people. Lord, thank you that you give us a safety. You give us a shoe Airy, though. We don't deserve it. You provided Lord, you give us forgiveness and, and restoration, you reconcile this to yourself. Thank you for Jesus. The Savior who died for our sins and rose again from the dead. Father, if anybody hearing these words whether watching online or here in person has never confessed, their need to Christ is never humble themselves. And said Lord, I'm a sinner. Forgive me for my sins, I'm guilty without. Excuse, would you forgive me? And would you give me the gift of eternal life through Jesus who died for my sins? If you would pray that prayer, if you would make that commitment, if you would repent in that way, God will hear and give you satisfaction and give you Sanctuary. Thank you. Father, for the gifts you give us may we run to you in our time of need. We asked us together in Jesus name and all God's people said amen.