Evening, February 4, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Your refuge from the avenger of blood.” — Joshua 20:3

It is said that in the land of Canaan, cities of refuge were arranged so that any man might reach one of them within half a day at the most. Even so the word of our salvation is near to us; Jesus is a present Savior, and the way to him is short; it is just a simple renunciation of our own merit, and laying ahold of Jesus, to be our all in all. With regard to the roads to the city of refuge, we are told that they were strictly preserved, every river was bridged, and every obstruction removed, so that the man who fled might find an easy passage to the city. Once a year the elders went along the roads and saw to their upkeep, so that nothing might impede the flight of anyone, and cause him, through delay, to be overtaken and slain. How graciously do the promises of the gospel remove stumbling blocks from the way! Wherever there were byroads and corners, there were placed up signposts, with the inscription upon them—”To the city of refuge!” This is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the law; it is not obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road: “Believe, and live.” It is a road so hard, that no self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows himself to be a sinner may by it find his way to heaven. No sooner did the manslayer reach the edges of the city than he was safe; it was not necessary for him to pass far within the walls, but the suburbs themselves were sufficient protection. Learn hereafter, that if you do only touch the hem of Christ’s garment, you shall be made whole; if you do just lay hold upon him with “faith as a grain of mustard seed,” you are safe.

“A little genuine grace ensures

The death of all our sins.”

Only waste no time, do not loiter not by the way, for the avenger of blood is swift of foot; and it may be he is at your heels at this still hour of the evening.