SANCTUARY

 

We had a sign in Farmerville, where I grew up, as you entered the city limits which recognized us as a bird sanctuary.  A small town, like so many others of the day, which were so like Mayberry.  What a wonderful time and place to grow up!  In all fairness, you might not have recognized the sanctuary if you saw some of the local youths sporting their BB guns or sling shots.  POOR birds were fair game.

My entire adult life I have surrounded myself with a bird sanctuary.  When we lived in the midst of 5 acres of woods, I was in bird heaven!  I had feeders galore--of every type and spent hours observing and enjoying the feathered friends.  If you feed them, they will come!  I still feed the birds, but unfortunately do not have the number and variety I once had due to a lack of trees.  The hood was clear cut before it was developed and I live smack dab in the middle of it.  I have a few trees in my yard, but not near enough.  Those who live on the edge of the hood are more fortunate since we are surrounded by undeveloped land.  I do enjoy those birds who come.

Today in my daily readings, the scripture came up which explains the "sanctuary city".  If you were accused of killing someone and it was accidental, you could flee to designated sanctuary cities and escape the consequences.  There were 6 cities designated as sanctuary cities where the perpetrator could flee and request sanctuary from the ones pursuing him.  The cities would allow him to stay within their walls once they granted the request.  There were a list of rules about how this was to happen, but the bottom line is the one guilty would be allowed the safety of the city gates because he did not intend to inflict harm.  This was all directed by God.

The question might be---Did the guilty party escape justice?  Was he allowed to avoid punishment in this sanctuary city?  My question to you is ~ Do we ever really avoid the consequences of our sin?  Perhaps on the surface it appears the guilty did not get what they deserved, BUT they did suffer consequences.  They were forced to flee their home and loved ones, they were marked by society for their sin and treated accordingly, their life was forever altered.  

There are times we cry out for justice and think justice was never served by those who sin against us.  We should remember we do not know the whole picture.  There are consequences---we might not see.  Sin always has consequences---we are not the judge---we do not know how God acts.  I assure you though, there are consequences.  Do we trust God to be a righteous judge?  Are we willing to turn over judgement to Him?  DEEP THINKING OVER HERE!  If we trust God to work all things for our good and His good purpose, can we not also trust Him to be as just with others as He is with us?

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate;

Slow to anger and great in mercy."

Psalm 145:8