A Little Sanctuary
Today’s Verse:
Therefore say, Thus saith the LORD God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. ~Ezekiel 11:16
When I am away from home on a Sunday and not preaching, I want to be within distance of a strong Bible-believing, Bible-preaching Baptist church that I can attend. I enjoy visiting other churches, being preached to by the pastor of the church, and watching God’s people serve the Lord. However, no matter how great the church may be, it does not feel like “home.” Home, to me, is the familiarity of God’s presence and power in my church where I am a member and pastor. So, when I am attending another church, it is church for me on a different scale. It is somewhat like what God refers to as “a little sanctuary.” Let us see the faithfulness of God as a little sanctuary.
We see the dispersed.
God’s people were scattered about from Jerusalem, with the majority of them as captives in Babylon. There was the sin in their dispersion. They were being chastened by God for refusing to repent of their many years of sin. There was sadness in their dispersion. They were displaced from their homeland. They described their sadness when they asked, “How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?” They were sad and discouraged. There was separation in their dispersion. Their situation made them realize that they were separated, by distance and captivity, from the worship of God in His temple and how far they were from God.
We see the devotion.
In spite of their difficult circumstances, God made them a wonderful promise. He promised to be as a little sanctuary to them. The people became complacent to the worship of the Lord in His temple when they were in Jerusalem. They equated closeness to God only with being in the temple. They would realize in a far-away land that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. God delights to dwell in the hearts of His people. God delights to be a little sanctuary to His people: where He meets His people right where they are. There is the fellowship in a little sanctuary—fellowship that is close and comforting. There is familiarity in a little sanctuary. The association is in meeting the Lord and not necessarily the location. Oh, may we grasp that a walk with God is God being a little sanctuary to us.
We see the duration.
The word little refers to time. God was telling His people that He would be a sanctuary to them for a little time. Captivity would be for a God-appointed time. God would bring His people back, a new temple would be built, and the experience of worshipping Him would be more meaningful than in the past. Our worship of God in this life is sweet and wonderful. However, it is “little” compared to worship in Heaven, where we will serve Him at His throne for all eternity. We will all be part of the heavenly choir. We will all be “Amening” our Lord. We will be worshipping forever and ever. Hallelujah!
We see the duty.
Let your devotion time be a time when God is a little sanctuary in your midst. Let the place where you read His Word and the closet where you pray be places where His presence delights to meet you and transform you. Do not forsake the importance of the little sanctuary in your life. Keep your heart and mind clean. Be ready to meet with the Lord at all times. Let us enjoy the opportunity of God being a little sanctuary for us.
Have a worshipful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Mark 12-13