I Am Your Sanctuary

Although we are broken and fallen, God still chooses to reside in us.

Psalm 114:1-8

Reference: v.2 Judah became God’s sanctuary,
Israel his dominion. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: When I hear the word ‘sanctuary’ I think of a place of peace and safety. My study is my sanctuary when I close the door to the rest of the world and bury myself in my work.

On the other hand, walking through nature is also like a sanctuary. Being surrounded by so much creation brings me a peace and solitude – a feeling of closeness to the Creator.

This understanding of mine of ‘sanctuary’ is a more commonly used definition of today. If you look up the actual meaning of the word in a dictionary it talks a great deal more about a ‘holy place’, a ‘sacred building’, or a ‘consecrated shrine’.

I was surprised to read so many religious terms in the definition when this word has become a lot more general in our current language today.

Application: In the Old Testament there were many laws and rituals around the sanctuary. Only certain people could enter into the holy of holies and there were special washing ceremonies you would need to perform before entering.

And yet, in Psalm 114, when the writer refers to God’s chosen people, he says that they ‘became God’s sanctuary’. Who would have thought that the Holy of Holies would find peace and solitude in simple human beings?

That is the amazing grace of God. Although we are broken and fallen, God still chooses to reside in us. Whenever we accept Him as our Saviour He accepts us as His sanctuary.

Prayer: Lord, knowing that I am Your sanctuary certainly makes me think about what kind of place I am creating for You to reside in. As You live and breathe with me, may we find peace, grace and justice. Amen.

What does God find when He resides in You?

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