Refuge in Repentance

“Appoint out for you… your refuge from the avenger of blood” (Joshua 20:1-3).  “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance… Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us” (Psalm 90:8,17).  “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).  “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). 

There is a Refuge God provides,

A Hiding Place in His Anointed,

Where a repentant sinner hides

Who runs into this Place appointed. 

The Lord beholds iniquities;

Upon our sins He shines His light.

The sinner therefore wisely flees

To find a Refuge in His sight. 

Behold the beauty of our God

Is now beheld in Jesus Christ

Who bore for us the judgment rod

Of wrath when He was sacrificed.

There is no other Hiding Place; 

No, not in all our noblest duty!

Repentance leads us to His grace

To find our Refuge in His beauty!

He gives the blessing of salvation

Because He bore for us our sorrow. 

Yet souls must choose their destination;

They dare not wait until tomorrow. 

Our Refuge in repentance stands;

In Christ we have our souls’ defense. 

We come as Jesus Christ commands;

His beauty is our confidence. 

O Lord, we thank you for such love

By which You died and then so moved  

Your Holy Spirit from above

To turn us as we were reproved.   

Until You call us home, O Lord,

We show the Refuge that is true:

Repentance has the great reward

Of saving souls who trust in You.