In the Old Testament there were six cities of refuge. “…Appoint out for you cities of refuge…That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee hither…” (Jos. 20:2-3). These cities were places of protection. They were a place of asylum. Today there is a place of refuge, of protection, an asylum from the onslaught of the world against Christians.
That is the church.
Every day in the work place, in the news, television programing, business, and political correctness challenges the child of God. Young children and teens face bullying in the schools. Acceptance of homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion (“A judge’s ruling Friday, 4/5/13, that would allow women access to the morning-after pill without pharmacists or ID checks – and, for teens younger than 17, now without a prescription…” , Detroit Free Press, 4/6/13), cohabitating are being pushed upon society. “Support for same-sex marriage increased by 3 percentage points compared with a March 8 Quinnipiac survey when support was at 47 percent. And it’s a staggering change in public opinion from 2008 — when a Quinnipiac poll found that Americans opposed same-sex marriage 55 percent to 36 percent.” (Politico). Marriages have declined and living together, without marriage, has increased.
With these statistics in mind and seeing the conditions of the world it is hard to understand why every Christian and their children are not at every worship and Bible study available. There is a place of refuge where you can be renewed and that is at Bible study and worship.
It is no wonder that so many are discouraged and have become weary in well doing (Gal. 6:9). Attending only one Sunday morning worship service a week, for one hour, will not give you the strength to fight off the devil’s assault during the week.
Parents! Parents! What are you thinking? You engage in some activity on the Lord’s Day and keep your children from worship and Bible school. Parents, rearrange your priorities so that your children are not involved in any activity that takes them away from Bible school and worship. Monday through Friday they must battle all of the forces of the devil with no resources that come from being bolstered by being with other Christians if they miss the Bible class and worship.
Bible classes should be full and worship assemblies should be overflowing because it is a place of refuge.
Preachers, Elders, Bible school teachers we have a great responsibility (James 3:1) to be prepared. To present the Bible to those who attend, to help give strength to face the onslaught of the devil. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10).
There is a place of refuge and that is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Larry