JUST saved, but only just saved! Had he been a moment later the sword would have slain him. But he has reached the open gates willing, outstretched hands have drawn him into safety—the avenger cannot touch him now: the fugitive is in the City of Refuge.
Had we lived in the days of Joshua we might have often seen such a sight as is here pictured, for the Lord appointed six cities in the land of Israel where any man who had slain another by accident might run for safety. In that land, in those days, if any man by hap caused another’s death, the relations of the slain man had a right to catch the transgressor and kill him. Hence the Lord set aside certain cities in His land into which the manslayer might flee for refuge, and, having entered the City of Refuge, the judges decided whether the manslayer had willfully or accidentally caused the death of the person slain. The willful act was not forgiven: the punishment was like the crime—death.
We read in the New Testament, “We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” (Heb. 6:1818That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:18).) Who, think you, are there who so flee? I saw a little child run as fast as ever it could to the open door of the cottage where its mother was! That child was fleeing for refuge. Strong men also run into places of safety. Why do they make such haste? Because they fear danger. And those who fear the wrath to come flee from it—they escape as for their lives. Oh! children, be in earnest. Dear boys and girls, you will not live here forever—you have sinned, and you need to flee for refuge, where harm and wrath never come.
God has a safe place ready for all who flee for refuge. Had the man loitered and waited his time, the avenger would have caught and slain him; but, you see, he is running with all his strength—he is fleeing for his life from the sword to the City of Refuge.
Not one of you has ever really and earnestly sought salvation and been denied. Those who have read our pages this year, and cannot yet say, “We are safe in Christ,” have not yet fled to Him. Do you think, with the sword pursuing him, that the man would stop to pluck the flowers by the roadside, or to chat with the passersby? No; he would, in downright earnestness, escape for his life.
Do you think he would be satisfied because he was running so swiftly, and say, “Oh! I am doing my best; I am in earnest”? No, indeed, he would never rest till he was really in the city. It would be no use stopping short halfway, or even a step outside the gates—the man could never be safe until in the city.
We beg of you, be earnest, but be sure you are in Christ, for not your earnestness, but Christ, saves you. Whoever believes on Him in heart is safe—safe for ever. Perhaps the man, when he had entered the city, might fancy in his dreams he was still running for his life, but being in the City of Refuge he would be safe. His thoughts or fears would not alter the fact of his being in the city, and because in it, safe. A little boy, who had been on the sea in a boat, fancied he was there, tossing about, when he was safely in his bed. He was half asleep and afraid, but he was quite safe and at home all the same. So many a child of God fancies he is not safe, because he thinks much of his own fears, and believes little the gracious word of God.
Dear young friends who believe on Jesus, who have fled to Him for refuge, you are quite safe, and there is strong consolation, strong comfort for you. The destroyer could not enter the gates of the City of Refuge, there the fugitive was protected by strong walls. You are compassed about with strong consolation, and you may sit down and thank God. Yes! and seek to live for Him. He looks for your happy and willing service of love, and in that service of love you will find perfect happiness.
As we bid you farewell this year, we most earnestly entreat every one of you, who is not yet in the City of Refuge, never to rest till he or she is in the happy place of safety.