WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:06.900 Psalm 9, 9, it says, The Lord will be a refuge 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:13.160 for the poor, a refuge in times of trouble. Matthew 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:17.079 11, 28, a very familiar script. Come to me, all 00:00:17.079 --> 00:00:21.039 you who are weary and burdened, and I will give 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:25.100 you rest. And I would like to speak for the next 00:00:25.100 --> 00:00:29.629 few moments, if I may, on the topic of... Refuge. 00:00:30.969 --> 00:00:34.850 Refuge. Lift up your hands where you are, and 00:00:34.850 --> 00:00:37.429 let's just open up our hearts for the next few 00:00:37.429 --> 00:00:41.810 moments and know that no matter who we are, where 00:00:41.810 --> 00:00:45.969 we're at, how high we get in the levels of spirituality, 00:00:46.049 --> 00:00:53.729 we all need a refuge from time to time, more 00:00:53.729 --> 00:00:57.049 often than not. Father, we thank you today for 00:00:57.049 --> 00:01:01.100 your... goodness for your promises that you've 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:04.900 made unto us. Lord, that you would be so ever 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:08.219 -present, God, and wherever we are, you're already 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:12.140 there. And we know, Lord, that when we find ourselves 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:16.280 in trouble, you are there to catch us in your 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:20.659 arms, to put us upon your shoulders, and to take 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:23.560 us where we need to go. I thank you, Father, 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:26.819 for that love of a Father that you are to us. 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:31.299 You are our heavenly Father. You said if we would 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:33.260 walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:36.540 we would fear no evil, for you would be with 00:01:36.540 --> 00:01:39.120 us. And I thank you, Father, for that. And I 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:42.099 thank you for this day that you have made that 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:44.219 we can be here. And for those that were unable 00:01:44.219 --> 00:01:47.540 to be with us today, that they will also be blessed 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:50.480 and receive, Lord, encouragement through your 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:54.700 word. In Jesus' name. Amen. You may take your 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:57.219 seats. Thank you so much. Amen for your time. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:06.859 Amen. Refuge. Refuge is significant and important 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:13.479 regardless of status, your age, whether you're 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:16.180 rich or poor, whether you've been in the Lord 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:21.120 for one year or 20 years or more or otherwise. 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:24.419 Through it all, through all the generations, 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:29.780 refuge is important. Refuge is a condition of 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:35.740 being safe, feeling safe, or sheltered from pursuit 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:40.939 or danger or trouble. It's a protection from 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:46.000 difficulties, from distress or unpleasant realities. 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:52.750 A refuge is a safe place. If you can put up the 00:02:52.750 --> 00:02:58.050 next slide, it says the Hebrew word meklot means 00:02:58.050 --> 00:03:02.650 refuge or shelter. This is the Hebrew word. In 00:03:02.650 --> 00:03:06.469 modern days, in modern Hebrew, meklot commonly 00:03:06.469 --> 00:03:13.069 refers to actually to a bomb shelter or a reinforced 00:03:13.069 --> 00:03:18.210 room designed to protect us against rocket attacks 00:03:18.210 --> 00:03:22.620 according to the Israelite laws. Most Israelites 00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:27.300 in their homeland have access to one of these 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:31.539 types of mikvahs. As of late, because of the 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:34.419 conflict in the Middle East that we've been hearing 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:37.560 about, hopefully there will be peace soon, the 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:41.039 Israelites have frequented these mikvahs two 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:46.020 to three times per day. Can you imagine having 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:48.900 to find shelter two to three times per day, sometimes 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:53.840 more? And they already have this, you know, it's 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:56.020 almost like an instinct, something that's with 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:58.979 them that they know it's time to go to the shelter. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:02.599 And I believe even so in our spiritual walks 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:07.020 as we don't have to hear the rumors of wars. 00:04:07.139 --> 00:04:11.360 We don't have to hear the sirens of war. We know 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:15.139 it's time to go to the shelter. And I know that 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:18.399 I have done this many times in my own walk in 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:21.600 Christ. I don't always have it together. And 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.860 believe me, nobody is perfect. We don't always 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:27.399 have it together. We don't always have all the 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:30.879 answers. We don't always, you're not always on 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:33.600 the top of the mountain. There are times when 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:36.620 we have to find a place of shelter. We got to 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:39.660 go to that place of refuge to regain our strength 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:44.120 and know, amen, that we're in a safe place. Everyone, 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:48.120 meaning all humanity, at one point or another 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:52.449 has needed refuge. Whether it's physical, emotional, 00:04:52.689 --> 00:04:57.730 or spiritual, shelters are important. I remember 00:04:57.730 --> 00:05:00.449 there's an old song that used to say, sheltered 00:05:00.449 --> 00:05:03.490 in the arms of God. What a beautiful song that 00:05:03.490 --> 00:05:06.529 is because it's a reality. That's our shelter. 00:05:06.850 --> 00:05:10.310 And one occasion, Jesus, the disciples tried 00:05:10.310 --> 00:05:13.810 to withhold the children from running to Jesus. 00:05:13.850 --> 00:05:18.110 And Jesus said, withhold them not. Let them come. 00:05:18.269 --> 00:05:21.310 He says, for as such is the kingdom of heaven, 00:05:21.430 --> 00:05:25.089 which means that even the adults will need to 00:05:25.089 --> 00:05:27.790 find that kind of a shelter. Just to get on the 00:05:27.790 --> 00:05:32.310 lap and in the arms of God is a place of safety. 00:05:32.649 --> 00:05:35.209 And how many like to be sheltered in God's arms? 00:05:35.290 --> 00:05:37.250 Amen. You like to be sheltered there? That's 00:05:37.250 --> 00:05:41.310 a beautiful place. Amen. David faced numerous 00:05:41.310 --> 00:05:45.620 adversaries. Including at one time, as you know 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:48.060 very well, the story of King Saul who sought 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:52.480 to kill David. He found, David found refuge in 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:57.259 caves such as the cave Adullam and other natural 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.920 strongholds. Hundreds of Old Testament prophets 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:08.319 found refuge in caves, especially during Jezebel's 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.759 pursuit to kill them. They ran to the caves. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:16.199 whether you're a prophet or you're a great man 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:19.459 of God, doesn't matter what statue you are spiritually, 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:23.339 you need shelter. And God guides us. The beautiful 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:26.519 thing is that the Lord leads us to that place. 00:06:27.129 --> 00:06:32.069 Elijah was sustained by God in the Kirith ravine, 00:06:32.069 --> 00:06:36.310 which was by a brook of water, amen, that was 00:06:36.310 --> 00:06:40.810 nearby. And food was provided by ravens, amen. 00:06:40.889 --> 00:06:45.069 That was a shelter for a great man of God. There's 00:06:45.069 --> 00:06:49.170 another woman that has impressed me by her faith, 00:06:49.290 --> 00:06:53.389 even though she was not of the lineage and chosen 00:06:53.389 --> 00:06:57.670 by God, but rather chosen by man. Hagar, which 00:06:57.670 --> 00:07:02.310 was the Egyptian surrogate for Sarah, Abraham's 00:07:02.310 --> 00:07:06.589 wife, in one occasion, she had to flee from Sarah 00:07:06.589 --> 00:07:10.170 because she felt oppressed and she felt trouble 00:07:10.170 --> 00:07:13.750 in the home. She found refuge at a place that 00:07:13.750 --> 00:07:20.240 was called the well. In this, God says, and she 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:23.040 said in her prayer when she got to that well, 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:28.319 she says, you are the God who sees. Meaning that 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:32.500 nobody escapes from God. You might escape from 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:34.819 the enemy, but you're not going to escape from 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:37.139 God. And that's a good thing because he knows 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:40.660 where you are at all times. Tell your neighbor 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:46.170 he sees you all the time. Good or bad. He forever 00:07:46.170 --> 00:07:49.730 sees you. You can't hide from him. But thank 00:07:49.730 --> 00:07:53.610 be to God that he knows how to hide us from trouble. 00:07:53.829 --> 00:07:57.310 He knows how to take us in his arms and protect 00:07:57.310 --> 00:08:00.850 us and give us a sense of security and safety. 00:08:01.129 --> 00:08:04.750 God knows where we are, amen, and what our troubles 00:08:04.750 --> 00:08:08.069 are, amen, and he will provide a way of escape 00:08:08.069 --> 00:08:12.509 and a refuge for our souls. God has always provided 00:08:12.509 --> 00:08:17.250 refuge for his people. When God's people, the 00:08:17.250 --> 00:08:20.389 Israelites, talking about back in the day, even 00:08:20.389 --> 00:08:23.490 in Bible days, when the Israelites reached the 00:08:23.490 --> 00:08:26.529 promised land after all of what they had to go 00:08:26.529 --> 00:08:28.949 through in slavery, when they reached, when they 00:08:28.949 --> 00:08:32.909 got to the promised land, the first thing he 00:08:32.909 --> 00:08:37.129 did was establish a place of refuge for at times 00:08:37.129 --> 00:08:41.799 of trouble. And the Levites... Unlike other Israelite 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:44.740 tribes, the Levite tribe, those that were selected 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:48.879 to be the Levites, when they crossed over into 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:53.000 the promised land, they were not given a specific 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:58.120 territory as their inheritance. They had no inheritance. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:03.200 Instead, they were allocated 48 cities, amen, 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:06.700 that throughout the land of promise, they had 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:09.299 48 cities, and those were theirs, designated. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.899 for them. They didn't have to fight for them. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:15.500 God gave up to them along with other pasture 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:19.440 lands to live among the Israelite tribes, amen, 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:23.840 and prosper. Within the 48... Levitical cities, 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:28.340 six of the cities were specifically designated 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:32.620 as cities of refuge, according to Joshua 20. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:34.279 We're not going to read all of it. You can read 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:38.220 that later. Joshua 20, verse 7 through 9. But 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:42.960 it mentions the cities of Kadesh, Shechem, and 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:47.340 Hebron, and on the west side of the Jordan, and 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:51.529 Bezer, Ramoth. and go on on the east side of 00:09:51.529 --> 00:09:56.210 the Jordan River as the designated Cities of 00:09:56.210 --> 00:09:59.070 refuge. Could you put that slide up of the map? 00:09:59.210 --> 00:10:01.549 There it is right there. That is the map if you 00:10:01.549 --> 00:10:04.169 want to see it, you know, geographically where 00:10:04.169 --> 00:10:06.750 they were. That is basically where the cities 00:10:06.750 --> 00:10:09.570 were. Isn't it interesting how God strategically 00:10:09.570 --> 00:10:14.110 put places of refuge in areas where people can 00:10:14.110 --> 00:10:16.870 get to? They didn't have to cross the Jordan 00:10:16.870 --> 00:10:20.149 River. There was no bridges over the Jordan River, 00:10:20.269 --> 00:10:26.240 yet God provided. Refuges on both sides of the 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:30.299 Jordan. So everybody had access that needed access 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:35.179 to a refuge cities. These refuge cities provided 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:39.539 sanctuary for individuals who had accidentally 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:43.460 killed somebody. And this was for homicides to 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:48.120 find safety and sanctuary as they fled from their 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:50.879 avengers. And this is very important. Anyone 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:56.159 that ran. to one of these cities. were welcomed 00:10:56.159 --> 00:11:01.899 by the Levites as a sanctuary until they received 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:05.779 due process in the courts of law. For the sake 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.799 of this message today, I would like to make some 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:13.159 emphasis on what the hidden meanings are for 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:16.960 these cities of refuge. These cities play an 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:20.299 important role even in our time today. I would 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:24.139 like to not so much misuse the word spiritual, 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:28.639 But I do want to apply this in a way that it 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:32.679 will, you know, apply to us in our daily lives 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:36.100 and in our Christian walk in this time and age. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:40.279 First, there is the city of Kadesh. Amen. I'm 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:43.960 going to take one by one very briefly. The city 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:48.740 of Kadesh, which means God's faithfulness. Now, 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:53.129 Kadesh represents both the testing. of our faith 00:11:53.129 --> 00:11:58.019 in God. But most importantly, God's faithfulness 00:11:58.019 --> 00:12:01.960 towards us. Amen? It's a two -fold thing. We 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:05.419 trust God by running to him, but at the same 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:10.039 time, more than our faith. Greater is his faithfulness 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:14.340 to us than our faith in him. Despite the lack 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:17.840 of our faith, he receives us. He extends his 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:21.360 arms. He doesn't meet us halfways. He meets us 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:24.899 all the way. Amen? Because we don't. have strength 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:28.340 sometimes to pick ourselves up from situations 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:30.799 and conditions that we're going through. Things 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.460 we don't understand. Why am I going through this? 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:36.559 What's happening to me? Oh, I don't feel as spiritual 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:39.200 today. I haven't spoken in tongues lately. These 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:42.559 things could be coming upon you, but God stretches 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:45.980 his long arm towards you, and he picks you up 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:48.600 from where you are, and he brings you into his 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:52.139 bosom, and he holds you in his arms. He shelters 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:55.100 you, and he gives you safety. Somebody say, thank 00:12:55.100 --> 00:13:00.559 God for that. It is where God meets us. and restores 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:04.899 us in spite of our lack of faith or our weaknesses. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:09.340 His grace is sufficient. Can you say praise the 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:12.779 Lord? His grace is sufficient towards us. He 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:18.299 welcomes and embraces all that flee to him. He 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:22.399 never rejects anybody. He welcomes everybody. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:26.980 He covers us with his faithfulness and his mercy 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:31.000 in spite of our condition. You can run to him. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:36.139 And it's interesting how probably the worst crime 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:40.460 anybody can do in this land, in this life, is 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:43.639 take the life of another human being. But here 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:46.980 the Lord, even for them, he specifically made 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:50.659 refuge for these people to give them a place 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:54.299 to come to, to give them a place of hiding, to 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:56.740 give them a place of security, to give them a 00:13:56.740 --> 00:14:00.519 place of safety. and of peace, not that they 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:03.399 would be judged by their avengers or caught by 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:06.379 their avengers. He does not judge us for our 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:10.059 lack of knowledge in him, but surrounds us with 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:13.100 his love. Can you say praise the Lord for that? 00:14:13.710 --> 00:14:20.190 Kadesh means a holy place or righteousness. It 00:14:20.190 --> 00:14:24.029 is where we can submit to God's plan for our 00:14:24.029 --> 00:14:27.509 lives. Because you see, you don't know what God 00:14:27.509 --> 00:14:30.309 has prepared for you. You can't even begin to 00:14:30.309 --> 00:14:33.009 imagine the things that God has prepared for 00:14:33.009 --> 00:14:36.190 your life. You come to him in whatever condition 00:14:36.190 --> 00:14:39.549 you are. God does not judge you by how you show 00:14:39.549 --> 00:14:42.250 up. The important thing is that you show up. 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:46.080 is that you run to Jesus. And I want you to know 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:49.080 that no matter what you've done in this life, 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:52.960 God is waiting for you. He wants you to call 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:56.500 upon his name and he will meet you where you're 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:00.159 at. Amen. It is where we submit to his plan so 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.360 that he may become, we can become consecrated 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:07.740 and separated from our past. In 2 Corinthians 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:11.559 6, 17, it says, therefore come out from among 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:15.659 them. and be ye separate, says the Lord. God 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:20.399 wants us to feel separated from our past, from 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:23.639 the conditions of our past. God wants to bring 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:26.960 you out of that and bring you into his spiritual 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:32.539 realm where we can enjoy the pleasures forevermore. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:37.600 We can be in a place where we can have an opportunity 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:41.279 to speak with God and him with us. It is a place 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:43.460 of peace. fellowship. It is a place where God 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:46.440 would want to meet you today. If you're somebody 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:50.379 today that finds yourself troubled and you don't 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:53.820 have the faith, just know this. His faithfulness 00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:57.779 is enough to embrace you and bring you in. Praise 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:00.059 be to God. Somebody might say, well, I came. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:02.480 I had faith in God. Well, let me tell you something. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:06.299 You probably had some faith, but he had faithfulness. 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:09.860 That's why you're here. Why don't you tell your 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:15.399 neighbor you're here because of God? Amen. Next 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:20.139 there is Shechem. Interesting. Shechem is a place 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:25.379 of promise and covenant. Shechem is a city where 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:29.899 God reveals to us our sinful nature and how we 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:32.919 can draw near to him in holiness. In other words, 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:36.429 God begins to reason. Together with us. Amen. 00:16:36.470 --> 00:16:39.610 As the scripture said, come, let us reason together, 00:16:39.950 --> 00:16:42.309 saith the Lord. And we got to come and reason 00:16:42.309 --> 00:16:45.590 with him. He's not, it says, though your sins 00:16:45.590 --> 00:16:48.370 be as scarlet, he will make them white as snow. 00:16:48.570 --> 00:16:51.129 So you see, it doesn't matter, praise God, what 00:16:51.129 --> 00:16:53.750 your condition is. But God wants to reason. He 00:16:53.750 --> 00:16:56.570 doesn't want to remind you of your past. He wants 00:16:56.570 --> 00:17:00.730 to tell you about your future. Let's not talk 00:17:00.730 --> 00:17:03.190 about your past. Let's talk about your future. 00:17:03.509 --> 00:17:07.569 Shechem. Shechem is known for so many important 00:17:07.569 --> 00:17:11.109 things. Some of its significant things is it 00:17:11.109 --> 00:17:14.490 was a place for building altars. Praise God. 00:17:14.569 --> 00:17:18.269 We learn how to build an altar at Shechem. Praise 00:17:18.269 --> 00:17:21.869 God. A place of commitment. It was a place of 00:17:21.869 --> 00:17:25.710 covenant making. A place of worship. Amen. A 00:17:25.710 --> 00:17:30.069 place of promise. We realize, amen, God opens 00:17:30.069 --> 00:17:32.490 the book of promises there. And he tells them, 00:17:32.490 --> 00:17:34.910 look what I got for you. Look what I've got. 00:17:34.990 --> 00:17:38.910 I am gone to prepare a place for you that where 00:17:38.910 --> 00:17:43.089 I am, ye may be also. And God begins to share 00:17:43.089 --> 00:17:47.269 his promises and your future with him. Shechem 00:17:47.269 --> 00:17:50.710 holds a significant prominence in Bible history 00:17:50.710 --> 00:17:55.230 as a place of key events of our patriarchs in 00:17:55.230 --> 00:17:59.329 faith. It was where Abraham built an altar to 00:17:59.329 --> 00:18:03.890 the Lord. acknowledging God's presence and reaffirming 00:18:03.890 --> 00:18:07.950 his trust in God's promises. It's as if though 00:18:07.950 --> 00:18:12.329 Abraham needed to be close to God and he built 00:18:12.329 --> 00:18:15.930 an altar there and God began to give him the 00:18:15.930 --> 00:18:19.849 promises that he had for him and his descendants. 00:18:20.289 --> 00:18:23.069 It was the site where the Israelites renewed 00:18:23.069 --> 00:18:26.769 their covenant with God after they had crossed 00:18:26.769 --> 00:18:29.789 over into the promised land, particularly when 00:18:29.789 --> 00:18:34.410 they conquered Canaan in Joshua 24, you'll read 00:18:34.410 --> 00:18:38.809 there how the people of Israel, they renewed 00:18:38.809 --> 00:18:41.789 their covenant from their forefathers, Abraham, 00:18:42.130 --> 00:18:47.230 with God at Shechem. Joseph's bones were buried 00:18:47.230 --> 00:18:51.769 in Shechem, fulfilling a promise made by his 00:18:51.769 --> 00:18:56.210 brothers. Meaning, let me tell you that God is 00:18:56.210 --> 00:19:00.190 not going to leave you where you were. Your bones 00:19:00.190 --> 00:19:03.609 are coming with you. That means everything about 00:19:03.609 --> 00:19:07.890 you is coming to Shechem. Everything about you 00:19:07.890 --> 00:19:10.829 is in the promises of God. Joseph said, when 00:19:10.829 --> 00:19:14.950 you leave Egypt, don't leave my bones behind. 00:19:15.049 --> 00:19:19.700 Take my bones with you. And, you know, I've thought 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:22.779 about that from time to time. And, you know, 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:25.619 somebody, I heard somebody preach a message, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:29.460 a bag of bones, and, you know, and I don't think 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:33.980 they were a bag of bones. No, sir. In Egypt especially, 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:37.819 man, they buried their dead very elitely. They 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:42.039 made a custom box for him. They made a beautiful 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:46.500 coffin, if you want to call it that. You know, 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:50.160 a place of final rest. And they put him in there 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.880 beautifully. They prepared him. They dressed 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:54.640 him up. And they did all of that. And then they 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:57.859 sealed the box. Can you imagine? There was two 00:19:57.859 --> 00:20:00.559 boxes that were going all around the desert. 00:20:01.450 --> 00:20:03.970 One was the Ark of the Covenant, and the other 00:20:03.970 --> 00:20:07.390 one was Joseph's bones. Praise God. They had 00:20:07.390 --> 00:20:10.369 to carry the box. They had to have, somebody 00:20:10.369 --> 00:20:12.750 needs to preach that someday, the pole bearers. 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:16.420 Because they were, in fact, pole bears. They 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.559 were, hey, where are you guys going? Hey, wait, 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:20.500 wait, wait. We got to take Joseph with us, you 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.839 know. There they go with the coffin. I don't 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.759 know if they had handles like they do now, but 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:27.099 they had to have something to carry it. Amen. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:30.920 And they carried his bones for 40 years. His 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:34.359 bones were all over the desert. But they did 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:38.019 not bury his bones in the desert like many other 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:42.539 unbelievers stayed in the desert. There were 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:47.220 some folks that alive preferred to go back, while 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:50.140 Joseph, being dead, preferred to go to the promised 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:54.559 land. Come on, that'll preach. But let me tell 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:58.700 you something. The Israelites renewed their covenant 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:04.680 with God at Shechem as a pivotal moment in Israel's 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:08.460 history. It demonstrated the importance of remembering 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:13.680 God's faithfulness. recommitting to his covenant 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:18.720 and choosing to serve him and him alone. It serves 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:22.720 as a model for us believers today, reminding 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:27.339 us of the need for ongoing spiritual renewal 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:32.079 and believing in the promises of God. Don't let 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:35.640 go of the promise that God has given you. Praise 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:38.339 the Lord, somebody. Hebron is the next city. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:44.259 Hebron is a place of commitment. Abraham settled 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:48.000 in Hebron after separating from Lot. Abraham 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:52.900 built an altar there as well in Hebron. Hebron 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:58.019 was where Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah 00:21:58.019 --> 00:22:04.579 as a burial site for his family. The cave of 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:08.779 Mechelov is considered by the Jews, listen to 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:12.240 this, is considered by the Jews to be the second 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:18.180 most holiest site in Israel. Praise God. Outside 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:23.619 of the Temple Mount, Hebron, this cave is the 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:29.539 second holiest place in Israel. It is important 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:33.519 because of what it meant to them. It's that their 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.779 patriarchs, their fathers, their fathers of faith 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:43.019 were buried there. Hebron also served as King 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:46.640 David's first capital for seven years after he 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:51.539 became king over Israel. It's a place we commit 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:55.920 to living our lives that reflect God's truth 00:22:55.920 --> 00:23:01.880 and his love. Abraham was so committed to God 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:09.980 at Hebron that he made it his committal. Praise 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:14.180 God, for himself and all his family. Now, committal 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:17.819 comes from commitment. So it's a committal when 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:21.039 he's, you know, I mean, it's a designated place. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:25.619 And he said, this is my committal. I want to 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:29.839 be buried in the promises of God. I want to be 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:33.319 here, and I want my family here, because I want 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:38.160 all future generations to know that this is our 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:42.000 home. This is our place in the promises of God. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:46.240 He committed till death and after for generations 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:50.240 to come. Hebron, I'm telling you, Hebron is interesting. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:53.680 How many of you have been to Hebron? I've been 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:56.779 to Hebron. And I'm going to tell you something. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:59.200 We almost lost our life in Hebron, my wife and 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:02.799 I. I'm not kidding you, man. Bishop Adam Lopez, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:05.039 he insisted on going there when I went on a tour 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.180 and said, why are we going to Hebron? I said, 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.200 we got to go to Hebron. Don't be afraid. I said, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:10.119 I'm not afraid. I think it's just foolish, man. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:13.900 Why are we going to Hebron? He says, you know, 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:15.740 the Arabs are there, and they don't like this 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:19.579 Israelite bus, this dwarf bus. And he says, don't 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:23.650 worry. We got an Arab guide. Oh, okay, like if 00:24:23.650 --> 00:24:26.789 that's going to help us right now. We get to 00:24:26.789 --> 00:24:31.269 Hebron and we part. And you know, usually when 00:24:31.269 --> 00:24:34.049 you go to Israel, those touristy places, you 00:24:34.049 --> 00:24:36.809 know, you see like 50 buses out there everywhere 00:24:36.809 --> 00:24:41.089 you go. Dead Sea, 50 buses everywhere. We got 00:24:41.089 --> 00:24:45.130 to Hebron, there were no buses. We were the only 00:24:45.130 --> 00:24:48.809 ones coming in on a dirt road. I says, I told 00:24:48.809 --> 00:24:50.470 Bishop, I says, this ain't looking too good, 00:24:50.529 --> 00:24:52.779 man. He said, don't worry, don't worry, we're 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:55.119 going to be all right. Because it's controlled 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:59.339 by the Arabs. And so we get off the bus, and 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:02.799 we have to walk down these dirt roads. And, you 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:05.559 know, I mean, there was no touristy stuff there, 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:08.240 man. People were looking at us, you know, and, 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:11.960 you know, scoping us out. And we have security 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:15.940 guards to guard the bus. And when we get there, 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:19.779 the first thing they did. was they got a hold 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:25.680 of our tour guide. And they escorted him away. 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:31.400 I said, there goes our tour guide. And he said, 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.440 don't worry, don't worry, we're going to be all 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:34.339 right. And then they closed the gate and they 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:38.119 incarcerated us in this fence. Here's the whole 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:40.920 tour, pastors, the bishop, you know, and the 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.200 board, district board, we're all sitting there 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:47.690 in this fence, you know. Where to now? We were 00:25:47.690 --> 00:25:51.150 just thinking nobody would talk to us. So all 00:25:51.150 --> 00:25:53.289 of a sudden, amen, a little time went by, and 00:25:53.289 --> 00:25:55.890 we started making friends. Some of the sisters 00:25:55.890 --> 00:25:59.849 started taking pictures with some of the guards, 00:26:00.089 --> 00:26:02.650 and then they started laughing. They said, it's 00:26:02.650 --> 00:26:06.630 getting good now, man. And we became friends 00:26:06.630 --> 00:26:09.990 with them right there, and we began to tell them 00:26:09.990 --> 00:26:15.549 who we were. Okay, listen. We're going to let 00:26:15.549 --> 00:26:21.049 you in to see, but you got to run in and run 00:26:21.049 --> 00:26:25.329 out. And I said, that don't sound too good again, 00:26:25.450 --> 00:26:28.589 man. They're going to close the door on us. We're 00:26:28.589 --> 00:26:30.490 going to stay in there with Abraham and Isaac 00:26:30.490 --> 00:26:38.549 and Jacob. But they let us in, and my wife remembered 00:26:38.549 --> 00:26:41.400 we ran in, man. We were in there looking. They 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:44.480 said, no pictures. You know, the apostolics, 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:54.619 you know. Rebellious, man. You know, but there 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:56.500 we were. Quick, quick, we got to get out. We 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:59.000 got to get out. We got to get out. You know, 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:05.150 we ran out. And when we ran out. You guys get 00:27:05.150 --> 00:27:07.190 enough? He says, yeah, okay, take some pictures 00:27:07.190 --> 00:27:08.769 with us. They wanted pictures of us. We took 00:27:08.769 --> 00:27:11.829 pictures like a big family, you know. And then 00:27:11.829 --> 00:27:14.950 they led us back to the bus, and our poor tour 00:27:14.950 --> 00:27:16.890 guide was in the bus. He couldn't get out of 00:27:16.890 --> 00:27:20.829 the bus. And so they let us go, and we came back. 00:27:21.329 --> 00:27:24.529 Wow, I went to Hebron. I don't recommend it. 00:27:26.430 --> 00:27:30.950 But let me tell you something. Oh, my God. Well, 00:27:31.049 --> 00:27:32.769 I mean, you know, it's like anything else. I 00:27:32.769 --> 00:27:36.150 mean, I'll be honest with you. I believe Hebron 00:27:36.150 --> 00:27:40.950 more than I do the tomb. He's not here. Everybody 00:27:40.950 --> 00:27:45.250 comes out, you know. He's not here. Well, of 00:27:45.250 --> 00:27:48.509 course, he resurrected. But, you know, you go 00:27:48.509 --> 00:27:52.289 to the tomb where Jesus was and he laid. I don't 00:27:52.289 --> 00:27:53.650 know if that's the right tomb, but I'll tell 00:27:53.650 --> 00:27:57.200 you what, Hebron's the right place. Oh, let me 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:59.859 tell you, man. You go there, that's real, man. 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:03.359 They're there. And it's amazing what they did, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:07.299 how they tombed them. It's incredible. It's incredible. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:09.799 But praise God, it's real. Let me tell you, Hebron 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:12.339 is real. Praise God. Now let's go to Besser. 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:14.880 I know I kept you there too long. Okay, Besser, 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:18.420 city of, refuge city of Besser. Besser means 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:24.299 stronghold or rock. Psalm 18 .2, it says, the 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:26.799 Lord is, this is just a teaching, okay? I forgot 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:30.880 to tell you that. You okay? All right, thank 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:33.980 you. I was going to do it anyway, but I didn't. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:41.180 Psalm 18 .2, it says, the Lord is my rock, my 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:45.259 fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:49.279 in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:54.180 of my salvation, my stronghold. This is what 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:58.660 bezer means. It means a stronghold. It means 00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:02.220 a rock. Proverbs 18 .10, it says, the name of 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:05.900 the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:09.200 to it and are safe. Somebody say, we're safe 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:13.609 in him. We are safe in Christ. Amen. If you are 00:29:13.609 --> 00:29:16.750 in trouble, if you need to run to anything, run 00:29:16.750 --> 00:29:21.829 to the strong power. Run to Bezer. Run to the 00:29:21.829 --> 00:29:25.430 rock because you will find safety for your soul, 00:29:25.609 --> 00:29:31.430 refuge for your life. Psalm 9 and 9, it says, 00:29:31.589 --> 00:29:36.029 the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold 00:29:36.029 --> 00:29:39.589 in times of trouble. Those who know your name 00:29:39.589 --> 00:29:44.730 trust in you, for you, Lord, have never, somebody 00:29:44.730 --> 00:29:48.779 say never. Never forsaking those who seek you. 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:51.900 He will never forsake you. When you get there, 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:55.559 you can leap for joy, jump and shout like we 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:58.839 were right here. Why? Because we are in God's 00:29:58.839 --> 00:30:04.240 realm of refuge. We don't have to fear the world. 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:07.779 We don't have to fear, you know, what happens 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:11.180 outside of these walls. Just know this. You are 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:15.279 sheltered in the arms of God. You're God's people. 00:30:16.009 --> 00:30:19.990 He died for you, and you're safe in him. Bezer 00:30:19.990 --> 00:30:24.450 is a divine protection and strength where the 00:30:24.450 --> 00:30:30.150 enemy has no power or influence. When the enemy, 00:30:30.329 --> 00:30:34.890 like a roaring lion, prowls our minds and our 00:30:34.890 --> 00:30:39.450 hearts, trying to persuade us to sin through 00:30:39.450 --> 00:30:45.049 temptations, run to Bezer. Stay in Bezer. Don't 00:30:45.049 --> 00:30:49.289 let go. Hang on because that's where your strength 00:30:49.289 --> 00:30:55.069 is at. Amen. And our secret strength, our help 00:30:55.069 --> 00:31:00.009 in the midst of weakness comes from God if we 00:31:00.009 --> 00:31:04.470 only turn to Him. Psalm 91, 1 and 2, it says, 00:31:04.589 --> 00:31:07.730 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most 00:31:07.730 --> 00:31:11.009 High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 00:31:12.170 --> 00:31:15.809 I will say to the Lord, he is my refuge and my 00:31:15.809 --> 00:31:20.750 fortress, my God and whom I will trust. Bless 00:31:20.750 --> 00:31:25.289 the Lord. We feel safe. No matter where you are, 00:31:25.329 --> 00:31:29.150 where you go. I'm telling you, one time another 00:31:29.150 --> 00:31:33.150 bishop and I were on an airplane and it was getting 00:31:33.150 --> 00:31:37.769 weird. I mean, it was going up and down sideways 00:31:37.769 --> 00:31:39.849 and everything. He looked at me and he says, 00:31:39.970 --> 00:31:42.829 this ain't normal, huh? I said, no, it's not 00:31:42.829 --> 00:31:45.789 normal, man. He says, what do you think? I says, 00:31:45.930 --> 00:31:48.529 hey, we're here. What's wrong with you, man? 00:31:49.150 --> 00:31:52.390 We're going to be all right. And he says, you're 00:31:52.390 --> 00:31:54.170 right, man. We're here. And he turns around and 00:31:54.170 --> 00:31:55.750 says, we're going to be all right, tells the 00:31:55.750 --> 00:31:58.529 people. We're going to be all right. Why? Because 00:31:58.529 --> 00:32:01.150 we're God's people. You hear what I'm saying? 00:32:01.250 --> 00:32:03.950 Amen. We're God's people. I've been in some serious 00:32:03.950 --> 00:32:06.730 situations in airplanes, but I'm telling you, 00:32:06.750 --> 00:32:09.970 I'm here today because I'm in the arms of God. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:13.400 I'm sheltered in his arms. Bless the name of 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:17.299 the Lord. Ramoth, Ramoth, the next city. Ramoth 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:23.960 means to be elevated, raised up, lifted up. That's 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:27.539 what Ramoth means, to be made upright, to be 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:32.049 made righteous. To be seated in heavenly places 00:32:32.049 --> 00:32:35.609 for those that are depressed, joyless, hopeless, 00:32:35.869 --> 00:32:39.829 dejected, distressed, heart sick, sad and discouraged 00:32:39.829 --> 00:32:43.849 and much, much more. Ramoth is your refuge place. 00:32:44.170 --> 00:32:48.589 If you don't have joy, come to Ramoth. If you 00:32:48.589 --> 00:32:53.509 are discouraged, come to Ramoth. If you feel 00:32:53.509 --> 00:32:57.390 dejected, rejected, distressed and whatnot, come 00:32:57.390 --> 00:33:03.789 to Ramoth. Psalm 18, 31 -33 says, For who is 00:33:03.789 --> 00:33:08.809 God but the Lord alone? And what rock is there 00:33:08.809 --> 00:33:13.549 besides our God? It is God who girds me with 00:33:13.549 --> 00:33:19.170 strength and makes my way perfect, who makes 00:33:19.170 --> 00:33:24.170 my feet like Heinz' feet and sets me on high 00:33:24.170 --> 00:33:32.579 places. Heinz' feet. on high places refers to 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:36.859 the ability to navigate difficult and challenging 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:41.700 situations with grace, stability and strength, 00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:47.140 drawing inspiration from a sure -footedness of 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:52.440 a female deer called a hind, a steep terrain. 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:55.960 I've seen, and I'm sure that you have seen pictures. 00:33:56.569 --> 00:34:01.710 Of these hinds, these deer, female deers, how 00:34:01.710 --> 00:34:04.589 they stand on the mountains. And you wonder, 00:34:04.670 --> 00:34:08.630 what and how are they standing on the side of 00:34:08.630 --> 00:34:12.010 that mountain? They're just standing there, you 00:34:12.010 --> 00:34:15.550 know, enjoying the day. You know, don't you dare 00:34:15.550 --> 00:34:18.650 try to climb that rock. But they just sit out 00:34:18.650 --> 00:34:21.210 there, you know, like nothing's happening. And 00:34:21.210 --> 00:34:23.010 when they want to move, they move. They just 00:34:23.010 --> 00:34:26.739 climb the mountain sideways. They figure it out, 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:30.699 man. That's sure -footedness. This is what happens 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:33.400 when you go to Ramoth. You're going to have sure 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:36.219 -footedness. It doesn't matter what happens when 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:39.340 you are with God. Don't worry. Everything's going 00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:41.579 to be all right. You're going to come out safe. 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:43.780 You're going to come out on the other side. You're 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:47.159 going to be victorious. This is just, amen, endure. 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:50.280 This is just tears for the night, but joy is 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:52.519 coming in the morning. Let me tell you something. 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:56.039 God is with us. And when God's with you, who 00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:58.360 can be against you? There ain't no mountain, 00:34:58.400 --> 00:35:01.980 no valley, no death, no river wide enough that 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:08.309 can keep us from his Savior. God is a God that 00:35:08.309 --> 00:35:13.530 holds us in his arms. Remember this, hang feet 00:35:13.530 --> 00:35:20.389 in high places. Steadfast means signifies spiritual 00:35:20.389 --> 00:35:25.630 growth, overcoming obstacles, resilience, and 00:35:25.630 --> 00:35:28.409 steadfastness with joy in the midst of hardships. 00:35:29.289 --> 00:35:34.639 High places is not meant to be. a destination 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:40.659 in afterlife, but rather a state of spiritual 00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:45.599 growth and closeness to God achievable during 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:50.239 our earthly life. You don't have to wait till 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:53.199 you get to heaven to be in high places with Christ. 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:57.760 You can be in high places with him today. You 00:35:57.760 --> 00:36:01.340 don't have to wait until you know you're up in 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:04.980 heaven somewhere. No, in this life, you can experience 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:09.019 high places. In this life, he will elevate you. 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:13.099 In this life, he will lift you up. That's what 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:16.119 this means, Ramah, to lift you up. That's what 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:19.750 it means. Thank God that he can lift us up. Rameth 00:36:19.750 --> 00:36:23.070 is a refuge that enables and encourages us to 00:36:23.070 --> 00:36:27.110 seek strength in God and persevere through difficulties 00:36:27.110 --> 00:36:31.070 and challenging circumstances. The last city 00:36:31.070 --> 00:36:37.010 is Golan. It's known for its flourishment and 00:36:37.010 --> 00:36:41.110 stability. It was surrounded by fertile land, 00:36:41.409 --> 00:36:47.360 agricultural productivity. making it a valuable 00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:51.739 city for settlement and for trade. Golan plays 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:57.519 a vital role in providing water to the region. 00:36:58.400 --> 00:37:04.579 Rainwater that falls on the plateaus feeds into 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:08.119 the Jordan River. That's where the Jordan begins, 00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:13.599 making it a critical water source for the surrounding 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:19.130 regions. Jordan goes down. Jordan is a miracle 00:37:19.130 --> 00:37:23.510 river. That's where the Israelites crossed. Jesus 00:37:23.510 --> 00:37:26.909 was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan 00:37:26.909 --> 00:37:30.469 River. Many wonderful things happened at the 00:37:30.469 --> 00:37:34.170 Jordan River. The Jordan River begins at the 00:37:34.170 --> 00:37:38.289 Golden Heights. Golan Heights, I'm sorry. And 00:37:38.289 --> 00:37:43.409 it flows down into the Sea of Galilee. Where 00:37:43.409 --> 00:37:46.150 the Lord walked on water, many miracles, it fed 00:37:46.150 --> 00:37:48.489 multitudes, fish. Where do you think they got 00:37:48.489 --> 00:37:51.929 the fish from? From there, Galilee. And from 00:37:51.929 --> 00:37:54.929 there, it feds down into what is known the Dead 00:37:54.929 --> 00:37:58.969 Sea. And there's many things to be said about 00:37:58.969 --> 00:38:03.989 that. But nonetheless, it has its beginnings 00:38:03.989 --> 00:38:09.429 at Golan. Isn't that amazing? It's vital to providing 00:38:09.429 --> 00:38:14.000 water to the region. known today as Golan Heights, 00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:21.320 a very strategic region that Israel reclaimed 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:27.239 in 1967 in the Six -Day War. They wanted it back, 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:32.340 and they got it back in six days. They defended 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:36.559 it, and they secured it. Mount Hermon is Israel's 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:40.389 highest mountain. Sitting at the highest part 00:38:40.389 --> 00:38:44.309 of the Golan Heights, it stands at nearly 10 00:38:44.309 --> 00:38:49.170 ,000 feet in elevation. Its strategical location 00:38:49.170 --> 00:38:55.909 provides Israel with military security. Through 00:38:55.909 --> 00:38:59.690 the centuries, Golan Heights has been the most 00:38:59.690 --> 00:39:03.429 desired region in the Middle East. Everybody 00:39:03.429 --> 00:39:08.769 wants what we got. Isn't that something? Everybody 00:39:08.769 --> 00:39:13.570 tries to fabricate and make clones of what we've 00:39:13.570 --> 00:39:18.210 got. We've got Golan in our side. We've got that 00:39:18.210 --> 00:39:21.230 in our favor. We have that security. We have 00:39:21.230 --> 00:39:25.670 that visual. Praise God. And that valley and 00:39:25.670 --> 00:39:28.369 that part where Moses was able to see into the 00:39:28.369 --> 00:39:36.300 promised land, it's a strategical place. provides 00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:40.260 military strength and security. Everybody wants 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:46.480 Golan. Thank God. This is our refuge and defense 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:51.159 against all wiles of the devil. When we find 00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:55.019 refuge in Golan, there's no devil in hell that 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:59.679 can defeat us. Proverbs 18 .10 says, The name 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:02.280 of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous 00:40:02.280 --> 00:40:06.170 runneth into it and is safe. According to the 00:40:06.170 --> 00:40:08.130 scripture, and I'm going to be closing with this 00:40:08.130 --> 00:40:12.809 thought. According to scripture and biblical 00:40:12.809 --> 00:40:19.909 history, the Levites were assigned a special 00:40:19.909 --> 00:40:24.769 role. Not only did out of the 48 cities that 00:40:24.769 --> 00:40:27.130 were allocated to the Levites when they went 00:40:27.130 --> 00:40:31.510 into the promised land, six of those were considered 00:40:31.510 --> 00:40:34.269 or dedicated to be refugees, and God named them. 00:40:36.300 --> 00:40:39.500 The Levites were assigned a special role serving 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:44.179 as God's ministers and teachers. They were also 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:48.139 entrusted, get this, they were entrusted with 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:53.400 the responsibility of providing refuge for fugitives 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:57.500 who entered those cities. It was their responsibility. 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:07.789 All these six cities were very accessible. Tradition 00:41:07.789 --> 00:41:11.750 tells us that it was the Levites' responsibility 00:41:11.750 --> 00:41:17.989 in making sure that the roads that were leading 00:41:17.989 --> 00:41:23.269 to the six cities were in good condition. And 00:41:23.269 --> 00:41:26.449 that there be legible, listen to this, legible 00:41:26.449 --> 00:41:33.789 and clear signposts guiding the fugitives that 00:41:33.789 --> 00:41:37.760 were running from their avengers. Just safety. 00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:42.480 I don't know how the signposts are. There's different 00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:46.340 ideas of what the signposts may have looked like. 00:41:46.659 --> 00:41:50.099 If it had arrows or what it had. Inscriptions. 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:54.500 But it was the Levites' responsibility to make 00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:58.219 sure that there were signposts along roads that 00:41:58.219 --> 00:42:02.000 they had to maintain. And keep them accessible 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:05.940 for anybody that was running for safety would 00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:11.380 find their way through those roads. This is an 00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:15.059 interesting typology for New Testament spiritual 00:42:15.059 --> 00:42:21.920 Levites. And preparing a clear and visible path 00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:30.530 for the troubled for refuge. The gates of these 00:42:30.530 --> 00:42:37.570 cities were never, never closed. Surely the way 00:42:37.570 --> 00:42:43.389 to the city, it was a clear path. These cities 00:42:43.389 --> 00:42:50.969 represent God's grace for the sinners. Whatever 00:42:50.969 --> 00:42:55.849 your situation is, run to this city. Run to one 00:42:55.849 --> 00:42:59.679 of these cities. which is all -inclusive in Christ. 00:43:04.980 --> 00:43:11.260 But Levites is us. We are the spiritual Levites. 00:43:12.960 --> 00:43:17.460 We are the ones that have to make sure that the 00:43:17.460 --> 00:43:22.699 path is visible. We need to go out to the highways, 00:43:22.820 --> 00:43:25.800 the byways in our communities, in our neighborhoods. 00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:32.639 Make it accessible for safety. That's our job. 00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:38.179 That's our ministry. To help people see the way. 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:41.260 Come this way, you're in trouble. Get on this 00:43:41.260 --> 00:43:45.940 path and follow the road signs to safety. That's 00:43:45.940 --> 00:43:52.880 our job. This is the road sign. The word of God. 00:43:53.500 --> 00:43:59.860 This is the road sign. If we can just carry the 00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:07.199 map with us. Are you troubled? You need safety? 00:44:07.400 --> 00:44:11.300 You need out of this? Are you troubled? Are you 00:44:11.300 --> 00:44:17.500 sick? Are you distressed? Joyless? Let me show 00:44:17.500 --> 00:44:20.679 you the map of how to get to the city of refuge, 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:26.219 which is Christ. There's no other city. Like 00:44:26.219 --> 00:44:33.900 that city. Bless the Lord. Stand with me. As 00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:38.320 long as we remain within the city of refuge, 00:44:38.619 --> 00:44:42.599 which is the Lord, the enemy will not harm us. 00:44:43.780 --> 00:44:49.219 But if we go outside, listen to me, we will be 00:44:49.219 --> 00:44:54.730 in danger. I'm going to close with this. I took 00:44:54.730 --> 00:45:02.010 you up, not taking you down. Abner's story. Abner 00:45:02.010 --> 00:45:06.409 was a cousin of King Saul and served as the commander 00:45:06.409 --> 00:45:10.289 -in -chief in Saul's army. He was the top guy 00:45:10.289 --> 00:45:15.730 outside of Jonathan and others that were his 00:45:15.730 --> 00:45:19.710 sons and served. Abner was a great warrior. He 00:45:19.710 --> 00:45:23.840 was a great leader. But sometime after the death 00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:27.980 of King Saul, there's a big story, a lot of things 00:45:27.980 --> 00:45:31.300 that happened in there. Abner tried to raise 00:45:31.300 --> 00:45:37.760 up another king that failed. Abner defected from 00:45:37.760 --> 00:45:44.199 that side. And he swore to serve under King David. 00:45:46.639 --> 00:45:53.710 But because he had in one of the battles killed 00:45:53.710 --> 00:46:02.190 one of joab's brothers which was davis commander 00:46:02.190 --> 00:46:10.809 -in -chief when joab heard that abner had defected 00:46:10.809 --> 00:46:16.530 and gone with david he became very angry especially 00:46:16.530 --> 00:46:20.070 because in a prior battle he had killed his brother 00:46:21.900 --> 00:46:30.900 His name was Esael. But Abner heard of Joab's 00:46:30.900 --> 00:46:37.780 anger and his bad intentions, and he ran to Hebron. 00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:47.719 But at Hebron, Joab found out he was there. He 00:46:47.719 --> 00:46:54.750 went there. Not that Abner trusted him, but somehow 00:46:54.750 --> 00:47:02.530 he talked him into a private conversation. And 00:47:02.530 --> 00:47:06.829 he took him just outside of the city gate as 00:47:06.829 --> 00:47:11.130 if they were going to talk. A private conversation. 00:47:12.889 --> 00:47:18.809 But instead of talking, Joab took a knife and 00:47:18.809 --> 00:47:23.400 stabbed him. In the stomach. And they say his 00:47:23.400 --> 00:47:30.539 fifth rib. Killed Abner. Of course there's a 00:47:30.539 --> 00:47:34.179 long story after that. What Joab price he had 00:47:34.179 --> 00:47:38.719 to pay for that. Solomon was the one that ended 00:47:38.719 --> 00:47:44.860 up killing Joab later. But nonetheless. It was 00:47:44.860 --> 00:47:47.559 a miserable ending for Abner. He found safety. 00:47:50.599 --> 00:47:59.239 But. believed somebody, whatever it was, convinced 00:47:59.239 --> 00:48:01.699 him to have a little conversation outside of 00:48:01.699 --> 00:48:07.559 the city gate, and he lost his life. I pray that 00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:13.460 we that are now in the safe arms of Christ don't 00:48:13.460 --> 00:48:19.659 make the same mistake. Don't believe the devil's 00:48:19.659 --> 00:48:24.570 lie. Don't believe that story that sounds so 00:48:24.570 --> 00:48:29.150 true. How can that be? Whoa, yeah, okay. Don't 00:48:29.150 --> 00:48:32.570 listen to that story. Don't listen to that conversation. 00:48:33.989 --> 00:48:38.070 Stay faithful. Stay within the city walls in 00:48:38.070 --> 00:48:42.530 protection. And all will be well with you because 00:48:42.530 --> 00:48:47.210 you will be sheltered in the arms of God. He 00:48:47.210 --> 00:48:51.070 will protect you from everything. That's where 00:48:51.070 --> 00:48:51.869 you want to be.