“The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses’” (Joshua 20:1, 2)

• Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour.

It is still true. Satan may use a different method in one age than in another, however, he is still going about seeking to slay or to entangled the children of God.

It is said that on one occasion Martin Luther seemed to see the devil standing by his bed as he rested. The enemy had come in displaying a large scroll which held a record of Luther’s sins. Sarcastically he seemed to cry, “There is no hope in God for a sinner like you.” Luther, for a moment only, was staggered by the assault, and then he cried out, “The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Quickly Satan fled from view.

In one way or another the wicked one pursues us, with sword drawn. He is ever on the alert, plying his slanders against saints.

• The place of our deliverance.

Our key verses speak of the cities of refuge, of the refuge from the avenger of blood. Have we a place to which we may fly? These verses do not by any means cover it all.

Here is a Scripture: “You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence” (Psalm 31:20). Here is another one: “Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us” (Psalm 4:6). Could there be a better place in which to hide than in the light of His countenance? Remember that when our Lord comes again, it is the light of His countenance, shining forth, that shall destroy the man of sin - the antichrist.

Who can withstand the brightness of His glory! When His face appears even the kings of the earth and the great men, and the rich men, and the mighty men, and the chief captains, and every bondsman will hide their faces and cry out to the rocks and to the mountains to fall upon them, and hide them - for who will be able to stand?

The Lamb will be the Light of the New Jerusalem. Let us hide ourselves in Him.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray.