CENTRAL THOUGHT
Believers security in Christ Jesus is all-encompassing and endless.
HYMN: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
TEXT: Num. 35:24-29,
Josh. 20:1-6, Heb. 6:17-20
INTRODUCTION
Refuge is a place of shelter or a hiding place of safety in times of trouble or adversity. A place of safety from life storms (Isaiah 25:4). Before a city can be known as a “City of Refuge” it must be one that has security adequate enough to perform that function reasonably. It should be able to withstand to a very great extent, all weapons of attacks and logistics launched against it even without notice. As such, it should be forfeited enough to secure anyone who runs into it for safety at any time.
From human point of view, a refuge could be likened to a tunnel, a cave or any hide out from danger of any sort. Thus, man has intervened numerous objects that tends to serve the above purpose. It should be pointed out at this juncture, that the more man tries to fortify himself, the less he achieves safety reasonably.
Many types of equipment thus, serve as a refuge to man depending on the need or the purpose it is put into use.
Thus, people build bunkers, safety tunnels, buy bulletproof vehicles, bullion vans and build even bomb proof houses etc. Man developed all these things to secure himself. Yet he is unable to secure himself adequately enough outside God.
This lesson therefore, is meant among other issues to remind us of the foolishness in trusting in things other than Christ Jesus our only Savior and eternal refuge (Psalm 9:9).
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To examine the significance of places of refuge.
- To understand what qualifies someone to enjoy the Eternal Refuge in Christ.
- To appreciate the benefits in having Christ as our Refuge.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1A. EXAMINE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE “CITIES OF REFUGE” IN JOSH 20:1-6, NUM 35:24-29
God gave serious concern to security that He instructed in Moses in Numbers 35:24-29 and repeated same instruction to Joshua in the book of Joshua chapter 20:1-6 about Cities of Refuge for the unsafe Israelite to get them succor.
The “Cities of refuge” are meant to save the lives of persons who killed their fellow brothers in error or accidentally and fleeing from angry mobs retaliating actions and dangers. The place of refuge is meant to save such from instant justice or at times injustice as the mobs may not know the circumstances and painstakingly determine if the seeming offender deserves punishment and to what extent he should be punished.
The refugee however, must be interviewed at the gate by the elders to establish that he did not kill intentionally in the first instance, before he is admitted into it and granted protection. The reason for this is because God does not want blood to flow unnecessarily among His children, thereby polluting the land (Numbers 35:31-34).
As such a one confesses his sins before the elders, so are people today, expected to repent before God to start to enjoy the Refuge Christ provides.
Q1B. REFLECTION ON PSALM 46:1-7, 62:8
A good meditation on the above Psalm would enable us understand that God Himself is the believers hiding place (Refuge). No matter the situation that confronts one, He is well able to make out something very beautiful out of them for the believer’s good. All one needs to do, is just walk in obedience with Him and trust in Him at all times. Believers should pour out their hearts to Him in prayers and supplications for Him to intervene and do them good. He is a very present help in all such times of need irrespective of the problem confronting the believer.
He is able to do all things and does not fail. If He chooses not to change the situation when one is right with Him, then that would be what He, in His perfect wisdom, wants one to experience at that material time. Believers must accept the situation with all joy as brethren of old (Acts 5:41, 9:16, Rom. 8:25). Testimonies abound how God delivered His people from dangers they faced at different times (Dan. 3:14-25).
Q2. HOW IS CHRIST OUR ETERNAL REFUGE TODAY?
John 14:6-10, Heb. 6:17-20
The Lord Jesus Christ is The Bishop of our souls and our High priest who said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: No man cometh to the Father but by me”. “And him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out” (John 14:6, 6:37b). The Lord Jesus Christ offers eternal life to whosoever will. He has no class distinction attached to His saving grace. He has an open- door invitation to all. Anyone who seeks refuge in Christ however only needs to confess his sins, do away with them and follow Him whole- heartedly to enjoy His unfailing care and comfort daily. He is always touched by the feelings of one’s infirmities, as the believer’ Great and Eternal High Priest.
Q3. WHAT QUALIFIES SOMEONE TO ENJOY THE ETERNAL REFUGE IN CHRIST JESUS TODAY?
John 1:12, 3:16-17, Rom.10:9-11
Jesus Christ is the Eternal Refuge to as many who received Him as their Lord and Savior. There are some conditions one needs to fulfill before he/she qualifies to enjoy the salvation in Christ. These include the under listed:
a) One must believe that God sent Jesus Christ to save him from sin and that only Christ can deliver him perfectly. John 3:16-17
b) Confessing of one’s sins to God and repent of them. Romans 10:9- 11
c) Accept Jesus Christ into one’s life as Lord and personal Savior.
d) Live a Christ centered life daily, living in obedience to the Holy Scriptures.
Q4. DISCUSS THE ROLE OF CHRIST IN OUR SALVATION.
Rom. 8:1-2, Col. 3:3, Acts 4:12
The Lord Jesus is the one and only Savior of mankind; there is no other name by which we can be saved. He said in John chapter 10: verse 10, that He came to give man life and to give it more abundantly. He affirmed that GOD- the Father sent Him to save man from sin and after He completed the work, He was received back in heaven as evidence that HE has accomplished the task.
Safety from Judgement of sin. 1 Tim. 1:15, John 3:17, 5:24
The Lord Jesus Christ came to offer eternal life to whosoever will accept. He came into the world to save sinners. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He is The Judge who judges righteously.
Safety from the storms of life. Psalm 34:19, John 6:33, Romans 8:35-39
We are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us. He has gone before us and has overcome the world for us. Whatever storms that confront us, we are sure to overcome by the power of Christ. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Safety from the powers of the enemy. Luke 10:19, Heb. 2:14-15
The scriptures admonished believers that all powers in heaven and on earth have been given to Christ. God has given him a name that is above all names whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. That means that, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and on earth as well as under the earth, visible and invisible. Phil 2:9-10. In the same way, Christ has given believers the power “to tread on scorpions and serpents and over all the powers of the enemy, and…”.
Q5. DISCUSS OTHER BENEFITS IN HAVING CHRIST AS THE BELIEVER’S ETERNAL REFUGE.
Gal. 3:14, Eph. 1:3-4, 2 Pet. 1:3
Christ has redeemed us from condemnation through His finished work on Calvary and has blessed His elect with all spiritual blessings. He has conquered for believers and has made them to be partakers of His fulness through faith in Him. Christians are as such hidden in Christ and Christ in God.
Apart from the security in Christ, Believers also enjoy innumerable benefits in Christ Jesus.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
God’s protective hands are very widely open to accept and accommodate anyone who come to Him for safety. Human beings have two distinct options available, either to accept the finished work of Christ on the Cross and flow into this grace, or continue to live as they choose and suffer bondage in the hands of the devil.
The believer who trusts in the Lord needs not be afraid of any form of storm or threat from the evil one and his agents. He should remember that the Lord has promised that no weapon of the enemy formed against the believer will prosper. Therefore, no child of God, need fear any pestilence or terrors. “The Lord is our refuge and strength, a present help in time of trouble” Ps. 46:1.
MEMORY VERSE
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Mon: My God is my refuge.
Psalm 46:1, 62:8
Tue: The Lord Jesus offers eternal life to whosoever will.
John 1:12, Isaiah 1:18
Wed: Only Jesus can truly save and is our High Priest.
John 3:16, 6:37
Thu: Christ guarantees eternal safety to all believers.
Rom. 8:1-2
Fri: Jesus is our safety from all storms of life.
John 16:33
Sat: Jesus’ power given believers through the Holy Ghost, overcomes all other powers that be.
Luke 10:19, Heb. 2:14-15