1. When God promises, He will deliver. However, He is not going to drop that promise in your lap. The promise will have to be claimed through action taken. This is a revelation to me. I had always thought that God's promises will simply "fall on us"!
In Joshua 18:3, Joshua asked the remaining 7 tribes, "How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" He was referring to the "promised" land. The land was there, but was being inhabited and the tribes of Israel was to go in and take that land from the inhabitants and claim it as theirs. So, God had promised them a land of "milk & honey". But they had to take action and claim that promise.
2. God protects the innocent. When the tribes were allotted their land, God instructed Joshua to tell the people of Israel to appoint cities of refuge. These 6 cities, strategically appointed, 3 to the east of Jordan and 3 to the west, served as "safe places" for those who accidentally kill another. The elders at these cities were to offer refuge to these "accidental criminals" and allow them to live in these cities, where they will be heard and will face judgement. If they prove themselves innocent, they can remain there for as long as they want. Their pursuers were not allowed to take them away unless they were proven to be guilty. They will then face death in the hands of the "avenger of blood".
To me, it is about being given a second chance. God will always give us a chance, sometimes many chances. AND it's about not being judgemental. Leave that to God.
It also got me thinking that we all need "Cities of Refuge" for safety and security and comfort. Can we be these cities of refuge? Can we "welcome" others who need to feel safe and secure and are in need of comfort? Whether they be innocent or guilty?
I will try. This is I Elizabeth ... I am a "City of Refuge"!
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