Daily Devotional
"And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and to his own home."
Joshua 20:6
The cities of refuge offered protection, but not without cost. Yes, you were safe from the avenger of blood. Yes, your life was spared. But you couldn’t go home. You had to leave your land, your livelihood, your family, your normal life. The city was both refuge and prison.
You were protected but not free. Safe but limited. Alive but displaced.
This teaches us something crucial about God’s mercy: it doesn’t always remove all consequences. The manslayer was forgiven, protected, and given a new life. But he still had to live with the reality of what had happened. He couldn’t just return to normal.
Sometimes God’s protection in our lives looks like this. He saves us, He shelters us, He provides for us, but we still deal with consequences of our actions or the fallen world we live in. We’re safe in Christ, but we may still face earthly ramifications. We’re forgiven, but we may still live with scars.
Yet here’s the beautiful truth: in that place of limitation and dependence, the manslayer learned to trust God in new ways. He had to depend on this new city, this new community, God’s provision in unfamiliar territory. His weakness became an opportunity to experience God’s power and presence.
Some of you are in a “city of refuge” season right now. God has protected you, but you’re not where you want to be. You’re safe, but limited. Remember: this isn’t punishment. It’s protection. And it’s in these seasons of dependence that we often learn the most about God’s faithfulness.
Today's Challenge
Are you in a season where you're experiencing God's protection but also facing limitations or consequences? How can you view this season as an opportunity to depend on God more deeply? What might God be teaching you that you couldn't learn any other way?
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your protection even when it comes with limitations I don't understand. Help me to trust You in seasons of displacement and dependence. Teach me lessons about Your faithfulness that I could only learn in this place. I know Your grace is sufficient, and Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Help me to rest in Your protection and provision. In Jesus' name, Amen.
