DCLM Daily Manna 22 February 2024 — Seek Refuge In Christ
DCLM Daily Manna 22 February 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Seek Refuge In Christ
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Topic: Seek Refuge In Christ
Text: Deuteronomy 19:1-13
2Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
3Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
4And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
5As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
6Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
7Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
8And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
9If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
10That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
11But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
12Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
13Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
Key Verse: “Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither” (Deuteronomy 19:3).
Message
That God holds justice, mercy and equity in equal measure is evident in our passage today. The sanctity of human life is protected by the imposition of the death penalty on a wilful murderer. But what happens in the event of manslaughter? If an “avenger of blood” was to kill a man who had been unintentionally responsible for the death of a close relative, the land would be guilty of innocent blood. God proffered a solution to this problem by prescribing the creation of sanctuary cities to which the slayer could flee and live in until the death of the sitting High Priest. Thereafter, he could return to his native city without any fear of retaliation. These “cities of refuge” were to be made amply available and readily accessible, the roads well-paved and clearly signposted to aid the fugitive in his flight.
Also Read: Open Heaven 22 February 2024 – Where Will You End Up?
The refuge offered by Israel’s sanctuary cities was from temporal and physical danger. But there is the burning hell, a calamity of eternal proportions, awaiting all who persist in a life of sin unless, of course, they flee to Christ the crucified Saviour, for salvation. It was to Him that Moses’ cities of refuge pointed. All who by faith in Christ’s atoning blood seek pardon shall find mercy and forgiveness even for the worst sins imaginable.
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 21 February 2024 — Anointed To Set Captives Free
Fleeing to the city of refuge was an act of faith. The fugitive believed in the efficacy of the city’s status to deliver him from bitter death, if only he could reach the city gates ahead of the pursuing avenger of blood. There was no room for doubts or dithering.
There is no need to continue suffering the agony of guilt or the prospect of eternal punishment for sins when Christ, our refuge from Satan’s accusation, beckons. He waits with open arms and love in His eyes, to receive you into justification and eternal life. Come to Jesus by faith today and it would be your wisdom.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Flee to the Rock of ages to escape the dock of ages at God’s judgment bar.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Judges 14-17
Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2024 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
