REFUGE
Today’s Reading: Numbers 35-36 (Tomorrow we start the book of Acts)
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Convent of Pater Noster is on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It is located at the site of the ruins of the “Eleona” Basilica, built in the 4th century by Constantine over a cave where, according to tradition, Jesus met with His disciples and taught the “Our Father” (“Pater Noster” in Latin). The walls of this convent are decorated with 140 large ceramic tiles, each one inscribed with the Lord’s Prayer in a different language.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses Numbers 35:11 & 35:34
…then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there…Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.
Moses provided for a fair trial for the crime of manslaughter, or accidentally killing a person. Capital punishment by execution for murder was within the powers assigned to the state. All of us need a place of refuge. Jesus and His disciples are thought to have used the cave under the convent pictured above as their place of refuge from the misguided religious authorities. We also have a place of refuge! (Hebrews 6:17-20) Thank you, Reynold, for great photos!
After we complete the Book of Acts, we will read in the next Hebrew books that the people again and again defiled the land. Before we judge them too harshly, we need to look at our own lives. Are we defiling the place where God lives? We should live in a state of repentance, a godly sorrow for sin, so that we are constantly cleansed from sin. First John 1:7b tells us, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I run daily into You for refuge. Keep me dwelling in You constantly, because in You is protection and Salvation. Dear Jesus, You promised that, as I have invited You into my heart, that You would live in me. I need constant cleaning so that Your dwelling place will not be defiled. Today I’m praying Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus (click Ephesians 3:14-21). Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Yad Vashem, is a memorial to the most tragic betrayal of humanity in human history, the Holocaust, where at least 6,000,000 of God’s ancient people, the Jews, were murdered. As is my custom, I’ve often stopped to meditate at the tree planted in honour of the heroine of the Netherlands, Corrie Ten Boom, who provided jews with a place of refuge during WWII. Rev. Jason Patterson, my grandson-in-law, took the pictures below. Corrie’s original tree died the year she died, and they planted a new tree as you can see. The book and movie “The Hiding Place” is her story. Norma-Jean and I, on a visit to Holland, crept into that hiding place and sat there for a time. We imagined what it would be like for Corrie to hurry Jews into that place to hide them from the Nazis. Corrie, along with her father and sister, were arrested and taken to a death camp. She managed to survive but not her family members. It was a great honour to introduce Corrie to our Canadian television viewers several times in the sixties and seventies. She had never been on TV before, and her childlike approach to explaining the Gospel amazed me. I learned great lessons from her. One time she put on a clear plastic glove and said, “Jesus is like my hand, and the glove is all I want to be seen of me.” I wept openly.
Yours with the prayer to be more like Jesus and Corrie,
David
P.S. Think about it as you meditate on the pictures below and listen to a short message from Corrie about forgiveness (click here).
“Jesus is like my hand, and the glove is all I want to be seen of me.” Corrie Ten Boom. My tears are ever flowing. My heart is so moved from this message. Oh Jesus, through the pain of suffering, we are redeemed by the miracle of others’ kindness to us. How hard it is for us to forgive when others hurt us, so. And yet, we are ever reminded: “What is impossible with man, is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 ESV We rely on You, Heavenly Father, to help us forgive others as You have forgiven us. Amen. Blessings, fellow saints in the Lord.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Grace Flows Down by Christy Nockels (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBPNdTowJuc
Amen Beverlee! Such a powerful message by Corrie Ten Boom !
Amen,Beverlee.My eyes were leaking slightly too.Her story alone is so moving but the quality of her voice/speech carries even more weight.Blessings
His Grace covers me! thank you Beverlee! Bless you!
My heart is overwhelmed after hearing Corrie’s message again. I read her book The Hiding Place many years ago. It was a hard read but a blessing as welll just to think of Corrie’s faith in The Lord.
Amen to all the comments and Bill’s poem. Eleanor M.
Amen
Incredible!! Thank You Lord. Thank you Corrie & family.
Don’t know if all churches are the same now in Canada but I sure miss the old hymns we sang when I was a youngster. Found this one on YouTube and so enjoyed it: Blessings on all dear saints this sunshiny day in west central Alberta:-).
https://youtu.be/UzyQBkatt-c
Our little church seems resistant to newer praise songs which are just as relevant as the traditional hymns.I would like to see one or two contemporary songs sung in our church for the very few younger people.However,I too prefer the older hymns too.
Thank you Lynda!
How lovely, Lynda. Heavenly sunlight. Ever rejoicing. Singing His praises. Jesus is mine! Amen! Thank you for sharing this lovely hymn.
Neat about Corrie Ten Boom
Amen saints!
I had to leave for church before I could find this poem.I think Corrie would appreciate its message:
The Only One
If I had been the only one,
No matter what I had done,
He would have sent His only Son,
To die before the setting sun.
I may have thought I was dirt,
But He loved me anyway,
Through all the trials and hurt
To save me for judgement day.
He broke the demon’s strangle hold
But we have to be free to choose,
Either love or Satan’s earthly gold,
But choose the glitter,then you loose.
So choose the path away from wealth,
For riches bring a fool to ruin
And you will find in heaven’s stealth
That treasure there is widely strewn.
Free choice is a gift to all,
It came with Him off the cross,
And if I stumble and I fall,
He saves me from eternal loss.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 23 March, 2014
We fail to realize it but we can’t do it without Him carrying us.
Beautiful thoughts as always Bill. Thanx so much and may God bless you and yours and all saints.
Thanks,Lynda.I just finished sewing a brass cross on a brown leather vest I sometimes wear and am just beginning to watch this Corrie Ten Boom interview by Kathryn Kuhlman,Pt 1 and Pt 2/ Pt 3 will be seen in the column on the right in Youtube.My friends are fane of Mz Kuhlman.One of them (in my opinion) ‘now’ looks much like Corrie Ten Boom.She and her late husband,Jack,were guests on 100 Huntley St.God bless
Thanks for sharing that video of Corrie Ten Boom! I have heard it on TV when she was on. but I was blessed to see her and hear her again. What powerful testimony!
Great pictures? thank you for sharing this post with us!!