ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tu’apulelulu Fepueli 26, 2026

NOMIPA 35-36; NEHUMI 1:6-9

It is vital to remember that Jesus is not just your Savior. Between your conversion and your homegoing, he is your refuge as well.

‘Oku matu’aki mahu’inga ke tau manatu’i ko Sisuu, ‘oku ‘ikai ko ho Fakamo’ui pe. Mei he vaha’a taimi ho’o fanau’i fo’ou mo ho’o ‘alu ki langi, ko Iaa ko ho Kolo Hufanga.

God's attributes never work in conflict with one another. His love does not weaken or negate his holiness. His justice does not derail his mercy. His sovereign plan does not work in conflict with his tender, patient heart. We see this clearly in Numbers 35:34: "You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel." In these words we see the Lord's holy justice and patient mercy working in cooperation. Let me explain.

Note these words earlier in Numbers 35:

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment." (35:9-12)

Now compare the two passages I have quoted and note that two things from the heart of God are operating here. First, God is uncompromisingly holy and will not have the land in which he dwells defiled by sin that is not properly dealt with. But that is not the only thing happening here. A city of refuge would provide mercy for the accused, a place where he could flee and stay until given a just trial. Although confined to a city of refuge, he would not be driven out of the land but, in mercy, could remain and be properly tried for his offense. In the creation of the cities of refuge, we see God's holiness and mercy acting not in conflict with one another but in perfect cooperation. In the cooperation of divine holiness and mercy we find hope right now, and hope to come.

We see God's holiness and mercy working in beautiful cooperation in a later account, too. The entire biblical narrative marches to a hill outside of the city, where, on a rough-hewn cross, God's uncompromising holiness and tender mercy would meet. The cross was necessary because God would not turn his back on the idolatry and rebellion of sin and act as if sin's offenses against him were okay. But the cross was necessary also because the God of mercy promised to provide a way for sinners to be forgiven and reconciled to him. This means that we, too, have a city of refuge to which we can run. Our city of refuge is not a place but a person, and his name is Jesus. It is beautiful to know that Jesus met all of God's holy requirements on our behalf and paid the penalty for our sin so that he could be a refuge for sinners like you and me.