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Jr and family, Janet's family, Travis, Wally, Thomas, Mary, Geraldine, Lil, Brian, Aiden, Dave, Elroy, Winslow, Pauline, Shelia, Brad, Frosteen, Phil and Kathy, Marsha,  Adrian, Hans and Erin, Matt and Julie, military personnel, unemployed, Chris, children with cancer, unsaved, Melinda & Barry and family, Ryan, Nick and Rachel, Tammy and Curt, children with birth defects and their families, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.

 

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Philippians Chapter 4

 Joshua Chapters 21:43-45

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When fretting because my prayers seemed to go no further than the ceiling, I received this answer from my Father:

            "There's no need for your prayers to go any further than your tearstained pillow. I am here with you. I don't expect you to ascend to me any more than a father expects his infant to jump into his arms. I have loved you with an everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 33:3 paraphrased)

WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.

We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.

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 For previous lessons on Joy and          previous Bible studies, please visit our archives

May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Brenda Hendricks    

 

1.     

During a visit at age six, my cousin, Valerie, dumped a pan of grease into the kitchen sink and ran cold water on it, creating a humungous dam in the drain. She hadn’t intended to be mischievous, but helpful. Still, she heard corrective words from our mothers’ lips. The words, although not meant to be harsh, sounded threatening to the child. She ran outside to hide from the punishment that seemed likely to follow.

After an application of Draino to the clog, my mother and aunt discovered the little red-headed urchin under the bushes playing with ants. Valerie had found her "port" of refuge and entertainment. She also found a means to defuse our mothers’ anger. Time. They had a few minutes to take control of the situation and to realize her innocence.

Innocence is no excuse. We’ve all heard that often enough to believe it. However, God, in His infinite wisdom, knows our innocence often leads to poor choices and mistakes that cause pain or even unintentional death to a neighbor.

In biblical times, He commanded Moses to set aside certain cities as places of refuge for people in need of protection (see Numbers 35). Joshua chapter twenty is the fulfillment of that command. The specific purpose of these cities was to provide a safe haven until a fair trial could be arranged for anyone who may have accidently caused the death of another person and was pursued by an avenger of the deceased. As long as he remained in the city of refuge, the killer received full amnesty. However, the protection was only good within the city walls. If he wandered outside the gates and the avenger murdered him, the avenger was justified because the killer broke the city ordinance.

Our study of Genesis revealed “pictures” of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and even the devil through people and events. This portion of Joshua also sketches a unique illustration of God’s character and purpose, foreshadowing Jesus Christ.

We’re certainly not all murderers, but we have all broken God’s commandments, and our sins against Him call for justice to be served. Innocence has no bearing on our actions for even if we’ve never heard the law, we know right from wrong by nature. For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them . . . So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification] (Romans 1:19 & 29b AMP).

Yet, we choose the things that are against God. His wrath is sure. We need a refuge where we can receive protection and amnesty. Although God is just and must punish sin, He is also loving, merciful, and full of grace. As He provided a hiding place for the Israelites who accidently took another’s life, God has provided a place of refuge for the knowing sinner through Jesus Christ, His Son. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.] (John 3:17-18 AMP) In ancient times, God set apart six cities to save the accidental killer from the avenger’s wrath. But for the world to be saved from God’s wrath, He set apart One name by which man may be saved. This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. (Acts 2:11-12 AMP)

To some, it may seem like quite a paradox to speak of a God of wrath and a God of grace as one. Nonetheless, it is true. God is just and cannot accept sin in His kingdom. Even Jesus said not to fear those who can harm the body only, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul (see Matthew 10:28). This same God, who holds that kind of power, loves us, His most intricate and intimate creation, so much that He made a way for us to escape the judgment to come. That’s love. That’s mercy. That’s grace.

The Almighty God wants us to understand and experience His peace rather than His wrath. Through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, He reminds us, And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 AMP).

We don’t have to take advantage of God’s offer for amnesty through Jesus. The world offers plenty of alternatives. Through them, we may be able to hide our sins from our neighbors and even from ourselves, and fool ourselves into thinking we are safe. Nevertheless, God sees where we are and waits patiently for us to come to Him for acquittal of our transgressions, which only He can provide.

Through the years, Valerie sought refuge in many "ports" and entertained herself with undesirable curiosities, as most of us have. Eventually however, she learned the only safe hiding place is under the Father’s wing, where He covers, protects, and defends all those who trust in Him. A year ago at age fifty-three, my dear cousin left this earth and is now resting in the Father’s arms, entertained by a heavenly choir.

Eventually, we will all face that day. If we’re found outside our Refuge, we have no hope of escape. Now is the time to seek that safe place.

 

Prayer:  Most Gracious Father, I cannot imagine facing Your wrath. Thank You for showing me mercy and grace instead, as I run to the Rock of Ages to hide me and protect me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.

                                                                                 Rock of Ages ~ Augustus M. Toplady

 

  

 

 

 

by Connie Faust

If you like poetry, take a look at our new page: Angel Fish

All Poems are contributed by Connie Faust.  You can contact her HERE.