When they were tearing down an old apartment building to build the Farmer’s State Bank building in Waterloo, they discovered a hidden stairway on the side of the building. There was speculation that it may have been used as a station for the Underground Railroad.
In the Mosaic Law we find an interesting law pertaining to slavery: “If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. Let him live among you whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him” (Deuteronomy 23:15-16).
Slavery is now illegal in America, so it would appear this verse is not relevant. However, we Christians are to look for spiritual counsel in God’s law. What this law tells me is that if someone who is a slave to sin seeks refuge in our church, we are to protect him/her from Satan. We are to embrace them and assist them in getting free. That’s what New Hope is about. Open your heart to the people around you in church this weekend and do not oppress them. God has demanded it of us. Our church should be an Underground Railroad.
Tags: refuge, slavery
Hurricane Katrina left displaced families and individuals that were often referred to in the media as “refugees”. For some, this term was viewed as insulting, so it prompted reporters to scramble for another word that would not be perceived as negative. They decided on the word evacuees.
In truth, however, the word refugee is filled with hope. One dictionary defines it as “one who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious persecution.” Refugee comes from the root word refuge, which speaks of safety, protection, and care for the hurting. It speaks of a safe haven in a storm-filled world.
Jesus said to the broken people of His day, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). Seek and you shall find.
Tags: refuge, safety