Sanctuary

Is the whole world shouting at you through the media, the airwaves, the screens, the ipods and the phones. Are there a thousand voices telling you a thousand different things that you need to have, to do and to hear?

Is the voice of the Good Shepherd whispering to your heart, beckoning you to go with him to the sanctuary? Can you hear Him? Do you want to go with Him? Or is He drowned out by the noise of life? What would happen if the Lord turned everything off and was standing there in front of you with His arms open wide?

Last week my computer died and as I walked into my study, early one morning – with these thoughts, I searched my heart and wondered what I had been missing. The Lord wants to shield and cover me in His Sanctuary. He wants to show me His beauty and glory. He wants to change me continuously on the inside. He wants to sustain me with the power of His strength. He wants to overwhelm me with His love as He fills me with His Spirit afresh and refines me with His Holy Fire. In His presence joy flooded my soul and I realised that I desired the same things as He wanted.

I needed to walk humbly with my God, with my ears open to His voice, knowing there is a sanctuary in the busyness and tumult of this life - in the Lord Jesus. Only then can I walk with Him, my hands in His, who reigns above every circumstance, and be effective in bringing His heart to bear and uplift those that need His Sanctuary.

The Oxford Dictionary says that a sanctuary means a refuge (somewhere to hide and be safe). These are the words of a beautiful hymn by George C. Stebbins:
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide,
O how precious are the lessons which I learned at Jesus’ side,
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low,
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go.

Prayer: Please Lord, Bring me into Your sanctuary and let me see Your glory and Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.