In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge (Prov. 14:26).
Cities of refuge in ancient Israel were fortified strongholds. They were a symbol of the refuge provided by Christ to every believer. The "fear" of God is faith in Him and in all His Word, and His provision for us is our strong city. The one who fled to the city of refuge had to either stay there or fall prey to the avenger of blood. It is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ and come to Him for pardon. He must by faith and obedience abide in Him. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation" (Heb. 10:26, 27).
Driving over the Simplon Pass from Italy into Switzerland is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. A man was in a tunnel on this road when a great avalanche thundered down the mountainside, but he was perfectly safe because he was hidden inside the rocky heart of the mountain.
There are worse things than avalanches overhanging the path of each of us today--grief, pain, temptation, disappointments, trials, and loss. Where will we hide in the day of trouble? A child is frightened by a strange knock at the door. They run and bury their face in their mother's lap, and are safe. Even so, all believers find in God their safety. The fear of the Lord gives them "strong confidence" when they are troubled, tempted, worried, or in danger. They run to their city of refuge, to the Rock of defense. David said of the Lord, "Thou art my hiding place" (Ps. 119:114).
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper, ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
__Vernon J. Chatsworth
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Thou art my strong refuge" (Ps. 71:7).
Cities of refuge in ancient Israel were fortified strongholds. They were a symbol of the refuge provided by Christ to every believer. The "fear" of God is faith in Him and in all His Word, and His provision for us is our strong city. The one who fled to the city of refuge had to either stay there or fall prey to the avenger of blood. It is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ and come to Him for pardon. He must by faith and obedience abide in Him. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation" (Heb. 10:26, 27).
Driving over the Simplon Pass from Italy into Switzerland is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. A man was in a tunnel on this road when a great avalanche thundered down the mountainside, but he was perfectly safe because he was hidden inside the rocky heart of the mountain.
There are worse things than avalanches overhanging the path of each of us today--grief, pain, temptation, disappointments, trials, and loss. Where will we hide in the day of trouble? A child is frightened by a strange knock at the door. They run and bury their face in their mother's lap, and are safe. Even so, all believers find in God their safety. The fear of the Lord gives them "strong confidence" when they are troubled, tempted, worried, or in danger. They run to their city of refuge, to the Rock of defense. David said of the Lord, "Thou art my hiding place" (Ps. 119:114).
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper, ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
__Vernon J. Chatsworth
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Thou art my strong refuge" (Ps. 71:7).
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