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Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 'Speak to the children of Israel, saying: Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through the hand of Moses; that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
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Today’s message
Today I call you to this simple and profound truth: God has prepared a refuge city for you. I know what it is to be awakened by silly fears and serious fears. I have faced cockroaches, rats, and, more difficult, thoughts that won't let us go. There are tears that no one sees. And the question is: where do we run when the soul bleeds? I do not offer you a church sign. I call you to Jesus. Jesus is the refuge city.
In Joshua 20, God commands the establishment of six cities for those who accidentally kill to escape the avenger of blood. The accused would run, present themselves to the elders, and receive support until the case was judged. It was justice with mercy. This points to Christ. Sin entered the world and we all feel its effects. Before guilt crushed us, God had already opened a door. The gospel is not God reacting to our failure; it is Him anticipating our pain.
Three types of situations that require the refuge city
- First: consequences of our wrong choices that hurt and demand a price.
- Second: wounds from others' choices — abandonment, betrayal, slander, rejection.
- Third: spiritual persecution — the adversary roars and tries to find gaps.
Before man felt guilty, God had already provided a refuge city for us.
I do not minimize the enemy, but I do not give him the center. In Christ, the empire of darkness has been disarmed and the written debt has been canceled. When you said yes to Jesus, you entered through the door. And the door is Him. In Jesus, there is legal and safe refuge for a weary soul. Here, guilt is dealt with, wounds are cared for, and persecution finds a wall that does not yield.
Steps to dwell in the refuge (and not just visit it)
- Run to Jesus today and bring your whole case — without hiding anything.
- Take responsibility where you erred; repent and change your path.
- Close gaps: watch your words, habits, and alliances that give place to the evil one.
- Cultivate the hiding place: prayer, Word, and obedience in small daily choices.
I want to end by reminding you: he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. There is not a single human being who does not need a refuge. In Christ, there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. If guilt pursues you, run. If the wound burns you, run. If the lion roars, run. There is an open city. And its name is Jesus.
Did you know
- The six cities of refuge were Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, distributed west and east of the Jordan.
- Those seeking refuge remained there until the judgment and until the death of the high priest, when they could return home.
- These cities were Levitical, ensuring teaching of the Law and fair judgment for cases of unintentional homicide.
Key phrases
- Jesus is the refuge city.
- The gospel is not God reacting to our failure. The gospel is God anticipating our pain.
- There is not a single human being who does not need a refuge.
- Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
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Cidade refúgio - Pr.Nei Messias
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