February 3, 2026 WEST

This powerful session invites us to confront the recurring sin cycles in our lives, beginning with Abraham's repeated deception in Genesis 20. We're challenged to ask ourselves: what repetitive struggles keep showing up, attempting to derail us from God's promises? Abraham's fear led him to lie about Sarah not once, but twice—revealing how fear can become the root of recurring sin patterns. Yet even in Abraham's failure, God identifies him as a prophet and uses him to bring healing to others. This reminds us that God's calling on our lives isn't negated by our struggles, but He refuses to let our issues coexist with His promises forever. The Cities of Refuge in Joshua 20 beautifully illustrate the power of church community—safe places where broken people can heal while their mistakes are being reconciled. We're reminded that we all need refuge, and we're all called to be refuge for others. Job's friends represent the dangerous assumption that suffering equals guilt, a religious spirit that judges without knowing the full story. Meanwhile, Proverbs 20 calls us to consistent standards, warning against holding others to measures we don't apply to ourselves. Throughout these passages, we see Jesus—the ultimate City of Refuge, whose stripes cleanse not just our bodies but the innermost parts of our souls.