March 7, 2026 - Joshua 19-22

The land has been divided among the tribes, and the allotments have been established for the Levites.  There is one more matter to take care of in regard to apportioning land:  “Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Say to the people of Israel, Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses’” (20:1-2).  This arrangement was done according to the gracious and wise plan of God.  The reference to Moses reminds, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When you come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then you shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, who kills any person unintentionally. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment” (Numbers 35:10-12).  Thinking about these cities, a question arises:  Have we ever been caught at a sin?  When caught, what do we want to do?  Well, we want to hide, of course!  David prayed, “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I flee unto You to hide me.” (Ps. 143:9).  We have a hiding place!  The testimony of the writer of Hebrews is our testimony:  We have “fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Heb. 6:18).  Our refuge is Christ!  There is a hiding place for us!

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands

can fulfill thy law’s demands;

could my zeal no respite know,

could my tears forever flow,

all for sin could not atone;

thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

simply to the cross I cling;

naked, come to thee for dress;

helpless, look to thee for grace;

foul, I to the fountain fly;

wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

when mine eyes shall close in death,

when I soar to worlds unknown,

see thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee.   -- Augustus Toplady (1776)