Lynn Cowell
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf…" Hebrews 6:19-20a (NIV)
As I got dressed, the brand name label in my jeans caught my eye: Sanctuary. Really? They definitely are my favorite pair of jeans, but could they really be considered a sanctuary?
This word "sanctuary" keeps showing up in my life. My family recently took a much needed respite away from our busy and demanding schedules. We went to a place whose motto is "Escape completely." That sounded perfect to me.
One morning, I headed to a spot they called "The Sanctuary." Anticipating a great time with the Lord, I found a quiet chair overlooking the peaceful water. Settling in, I had my Bible open and journal and pen in hand when I heard "Excuse me Ma'am. Do you have your Sanctuary card?" Sanctuary card? You've got to be kidding? I have to have a separate card to get into "The Sanctuary?" I picked up my things and found another cozy spot two feet outside of "The Sanctuary" where I didn't have to have the appropriate card to meet with God.
Opening my Bible again I could hardly believe my reading:
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf…" (Hebrews 6:19, NIV).
I had not been allowed to enter "The Sanctuary" two feet away because I didn't have the right card, but because of Jesus, I could enter the true sanctuary…His presence.
The Bible says a true sanctuary is not a place created with comfy chairs, soft music and views of the water. It is a place where the presence of God pours over us like a healing balm and Jehovah-Rophe, our healer, is present.
Combining the many definitions of sanctuary in the dictionary, I created this one: A place in God's presence where I can find shelter or protection from danger or trouble, finding relief and escape, and exemption from liability and prosecution.
The Psalmist spoke of his need for just such a sanctuary throughout Psalm 73:
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
(Sometimes in life, I feel like I'm hanging on the edge. Something has happened; causing me to feel like I'm going to lose it. What are you doing, God?)
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.
(Sometimes in the middle of our pain, we look around at others, and ask – "Why is their life going well? And why isn't this Christian life thing working for me?)
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
(He just doesn't get it. Why is his life a mess? Can you relate?)
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
(In the sanctuary of God, things changed. In the presence of Jehovah-Rophe my healer, I can find relief; escape and exemption from liability and prosecution. I find healing.)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds (verses:1-5, 12-14, 16-17, and 23-28).
Sounds like the Psalmist really got it and it doesn't sound to me like a sanctuary can really be a pair of jeans!
Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I need to escape completely. May the only place I escape to be You. When I feel like I want to run, help me to run straight into Your arms! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Find sweet encouragement with our free resource The Shelter
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Want to learn some ways to run into God's presence in the middle of your hectic life? Join Lynn at her blog today for some fresh ideas!
Reflections:
Are you making it a point to come into God's presence, His sanctuary, on a regular basis in order to be refreshed by Him?
When you feel like escaping, what is the thing that you turn to?
If you are not running to Him when you feel like running, what can you do to change that habit?
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:28, "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf…" Hebrews 6:19-20a (NIV)
As I got dressed, the brand name label in my jeans caught my eye: Sanctuary. Really? They definitely are my favorite pair of jeans, but could they really be considered a sanctuary?
This word "sanctuary" keeps showing up in my life. My family recently took a much needed respite away from our busy and demanding schedules. We went to a place whose motto is "Escape completely." That sounded perfect to me.
One morning, I headed to a spot they called "The Sanctuary." Anticipating a great time with the Lord, I found a quiet chair overlooking the peaceful water. Settling in, I had my Bible open and journal and pen in hand when I heard "Excuse me Ma'am. Do you have your Sanctuary card?" Sanctuary card? You've got to be kidding? I have to have a separate card to get into "The Sanctuary?" I picked up my things and found another cozy spot two feet outside of "The Sanctuary" where I didn't have to have the appropriate card to meet with God.
Opening my Bible again I could hardly believe my reading:
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf…" (Hebrews 6:19, NIV).
I had not been allowed to enter "The Sanctuary" two feet away because I didn't have the right card, but because of Jesus, I could enter the true sanctuary…His presence.
The Bible says a true sanctuary is not a place created with comfy chairs, soft music and views of the water. It is a place where the presence of God pours over us like a healing balm and Jehovah-Rophe, our healer, is present.
Combining the many definitions of sanctuary in the dictionary, I created this one: A place in God's presence where I can find shelter or protection from danger or trouble, finding relief and escape, and exemption from liability and prosecution.
The Psalmist spoke of his need for just such a sanctuary throughout Psalm 73:
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
(Sometimes in life, I feel like I'm hanging on the edge. Something has happened; causing me to feel like I'm going to lose it. What are you doing, God?)
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.
(Sometimes in the middle of our pain, we look around at others, and ask – "Why is their life going well? And why isn't this Christian life thing working for me?)
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
(He just doesn't get it. Why is his life a mess? Can you relate?)
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
(In the sanctuary of God, things changed. In the presence of Jehovah-Rophe my healer, I can find relief; escape and exemption from liability and prosecution. I find healing.)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds (verses:1-5, 12-14, 16-17, and 23-28).
Sounds like the Psalmist really got it and it doesn't sound to me like a sanctuary can really be a pair of jeans!
Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I need to escape completely. May the only place I escape to be You. When I feel like I want to run, help me to run straight into Your arms! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford
When a Woman Meets Jesus: Finding the Love Every Woman Longs For by Dorothy Valcarcel
Find sweet encouragement with our free resource The Shelter
You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Want to learn some ways to run into God's presence in the middle of your hectic life? Join Lynn at her blog today for some fresh ideas!
Reflections:
Are you making it a point to come into God's presence, His sanctuary, on a regular basis in order to be refreshed by Him?
When you feel like escaping, what is the thing that you turn to?
If you are not running to Him when you feel like running, what can you do to change that habit?
Power Verses:
Psalm 73:28, "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, Contentment, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Time with God
5 Comments:
I have just dicovered that the only way to find ur "Sanctuary" is to let go... Stop trying to figure things out, rationalise, reason etc etc.
Just LET IT GO !!!!!
When you let go u find your peace and you can enter into your SANCTUARY.
Believe me letting go works.
Naomi
I really need to learn that when times are rough in my life that I choose to run into His Sanctuary. I went through depression in the early 1990's and it was a rough time. I found alot of strength in my sisters in the Lord. I had been a christian for about 13 years but I still did not know how to run to Him, I let fear grip my life because I did not know what was happening to me. I do remember pleading the Blood of Jesus over my mind and my body and quoting the scripture, God has not given me the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. I maybe coming into His Sanctuary in my own way, today I can look on that time and think I only made through because of Jesus. I still have rough times in my life, maybe not as rough as going through depression and fear, I still need to find Sanctuary in Him.
Thanks for the devotion. Denise
We have been thru a tough year financially we lost our home, our life savings, business was slow, but GOD used this situation to show my husband and me that he is our refuge and strenght, I would have never thought I could have made it thru but with God's strenght and love
I have come to the point where find sanctuary is hard but can be done if you let the world view go and look to what is important, thanks for your ministry, it is like almost everyday God uses you ladies to speak directly to me and what I am going thru
God Bless you all
I love it when God whispers and hints at what He's trying to say to us through repetition. Love your post!
Thank you. This helps so much!!!
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