Joshua 19:49-21:45; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81
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In Joshua chapter 20 we read about the Cities of Refuge. I like that concept - a city of refuge. A place of refuge. This is what I think about Jesus today - He is our City of Refuge! No matter what our past sins are, Jesus can be our City of Refuge if we will run to Him, believe, confess & repent. Is Jesus your City of Refuge?
In Joshua chapter 21 we read about the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe appointed in the Mosaic Law for the service of the Tabernacle and of the Temple. It seems very wise that the Levites are given towns throughout the various tribes of the Israelites. In my mind this is spreading out the priestly tribe strategically. Can you imagine if the Levites were all in just 1 location? It seems to me that there would be a vacuum of spiritual leadership in the tribes if the Levites were not dispersed in the manner which they were. How does reading about the Levites being dispersed remind you of the church today? Is the church dispersed throughout the world today a good thing? What are your thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks of denominations?
Worship God: Today's readings in Joshua reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Yours:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM
Do you believe it is all God's? Click here and give it all to Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will always trust that God's promises will never fail.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
God knows man well enough that he knows we look for revenge when someone we love dearly is killed. We want someone to pay for a death, an accident even when the “victim” of the “crime,” accident participated in the very incident that led to his/her death. We are looking for “payback.” Since those who call out for the death of the “man slayer, themselves deserve death—For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJVR)—we are truly sinners crying out for the blood of those who have sinned.
The only one who can pay the price for all of us, the only refuge mankind has, the only place where I can go to satiate my need for revenge, and to keep me from becoming the object of others revenge is Jesus Christ.
Joshua 21
1 Then the leaders of the tribe of Levi came to consult with Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the other tribes of Israel. 2 They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, "The LORD instructed Moses to give us towns to live in and pasturelands for our cattle." 3 So by the command of the LORD the Levites were given as their inheritance the following towns with their pasturelands.
God promised but the Levites had to ask for what God promised. This seems to be a principal we should still use today. I am reminded of Hebrew’s 4:16 that encourages us to come boldly to the throne of grace … Often we know or think we are suppose to receive something and if we think we are not going to get what we have been promised we don’t bother to ask. Since we don’t get what we want, we begin to sulk and start to hold grudges against either God or against the person we believe God was working through.
The first three verses of Joshua 21 are letting me know that it is O.K. to ask for what we have been promised just as long as we are asking the right person after having gone boldly to God with our request and direction.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | March 28, 2011 at 08:03 PM