A City of Refuge

Our church is to be a city of refuge—a haven for those who are looking for a safe place and a second chance.

We will not be an exclusive club for spiritual fat cats.

We will not be a religious retirement home.

We must be a place of grace.

We must be a place that doesn’t care…

“We don’t care where you’ve been, what you’ve done, what your zip code is or what your reputation is. You are welcome here. You belong, you are loved and you are accepted here.”

We must be a pocket of blessing, hope, healing, restoration, life and joy within our city.

As Israel was preparing to cross over into the land God had prepared for them, God gave their leaders instructions for several cities of refuge in the new territory…

“When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, designate cities of refuge to which people can flee…” (Numbers 35.9-10 NLT)

Later, the cities of refuge are described in Joshua chapter 20 – Kedesh, Schechem, Kiriath-arba, Bezer, Ramoth and Golan. These Hebrew names are significant—they reflect God’s purpose for establishing these cities of refuge.

Kedesh means: sanctuary or refuge.

Shechem means: shoulder or back.

Kiriath-arba means: to associate or fellowship.

Bezer means: gold.

Ramoth means: lifted up, a high place.

Golan means: refuge.

In other words, these cities were places where exiles could come and find new strength and value as God redefined them, restoring their hope and dignity.

In these cities, God welcomed those who needed a second chance… He put them back on their feet, put a new twinkle in their eye, lifted the heavy burden off their back—allowing them to hold their head up high and without shame.

This is the picture of what our church must be: a city of refuge—a place of second chances.

Psalm 113.7, 8 in the Message Bible says, “He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues those who’ve been thrown out with the trash… seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best.”

I’m thankful for a God who sees beyond my dirt—giving me value and worth.

And I want to be part of helping others experience the same.