“Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee….”
Numbers 35:6 NKJV
Cities of Refuge – physical places of safety, free of judgement and punishment, were established by G-d in the beginning. Set among the Levites – or lead priests and worship leaders, these Cities were asylums where people wrongly accused could flee to and find protection until a trial was convened. It’s a beautiful picture really to think that G-d chose to prepare a place among His ministers where people could be protected when they were wrongly accused.
I hear accusations and judgements all the time in all areas. Sinful natures tend to “assume” someone is guilty until proven innocent instead of how our justice system was founded – innocent until proven guilty.
One of the greatest gifts and lessons I’ve learned in my role at work is to API: Assume Positive Intent. Assume the best, not the worst. Give people a chance to tell you the other side of the story. Listen and learn. Seek to understand. Come to the conversation curious.
From the beginning, redemption was His plan seen so clearly here in how He set aside Cities of Refuge. I’m guessing G-d thought His ministers were the best ones to give “API” to the wrongly accused – the best ones to provide a place free of judgement and ensure their safety – both physically and spiritually.
In a world full of fear and wrong assumptions, may I be a City of Refuge for loved ones and strangers alike. After all, I’m a carrier of His presence and a minister unto Him; therefore I should be a place free of judgment, free of punishment, and free of shame. I should welcome the wrongly accused and give them some API. I shouldn’t jump to wrong conclusions. I should forgive. I should love.
Whether my loved ones, family, friends, colleagues, or strangers – it’s not my place to sit in judgment as I have done so often and by nature tend to do so still. Father forgive me.
Love is my highest calling – after all, Yeshua became my City of Refuge, my safe place to run to, free of judgment and punishment.
Father – I repent and ask for forgiveness for standing in judgment when it is Your place alone. Thank You for making a way for me – a safe place in Your Son. What beautiful imagery to bring hope to my soul. Make my heart and my home a place free of accusation and judgment, a City of Refuge and Asylum where others are positioned to find You for You alone are the Redeemer. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Numbers 35-36