The Sanctuary

"...And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them."
~ Exodus 25:8

"Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!"
~ "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Do you have a special "sanctuary" in your home for God? I'm not talking about a shrine, idol, image, or crucifix. I'm talking about a special place where you and God meet every day? Where do you and God talk?

We know that we are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17), but the Bible also speaks many times of meeting God in a "secret place."

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

"...I answered thee in the secret place of thunder..." (Psalm 81:7)

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." (Psalm 27:5)

"Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." (Psalm 31:20)

God wants to meet with you and have a personal relationship with you. Do you have a special place for Him? If not, think about where you can create one in your home. It could be a special chair or even a separate room set aside just for your "tea with God." This past summer many of my quiet times with God were spent at the picnic table in the backyard, with a view of the horses' paddock. I greatly enjoyed meeting God there and watching the sun come up over the pines! It seems that when you have a special meeting place, you're more likely to keep your appointments! At least, that's the way it works for me.

Photos of my secret place and some ideas of things to have in your secret place will follow in my next post.

Then Understood I

"When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I..." (Psa 73:16-17)

Sometimes I, like the Psalmist, do not understand why people who do not love and serve God as I do, continue to prosper--sometimes even more than I prosper! Why does it seem that they have it all together? That they have no troubles?

Asaph says when he went to the house of God, then he understood! This is so true! When I spend time with my spiritual family, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am comforted and I see things much more clearly than before. God uses the fellowship of other believers to strengthen and encourage me.

Last night was an amazing evening at our church! The spontaneous singing and testimonies went on and on until 9:00! We didn't even have any preaching, but some of the testimonies were just as encouraging and uplifting--even convicting!

Asaph must have had the same experience in the house of God. His conclusion close to the end of his Psalm says:

"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psa 73:24-26)

His time in church made him realize once again that God was his strength and his everything! He realized that all that mattered was: he had God!

I can also experience this every day when I come into the sanctuary of His presence, reading His Word, praying, and spending time in the quiet, seeking to hear His voice in my heart.

Many times I do not understand the stuff of life. I am discouraged. I get angry. I become confused. I even question God. But when I go to the sanctuary, then understand I!