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Devotional for April 20, 2020

Sanctuary

 "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary." (Psalm 96:6 NIV)

 For the past few weeks, many churches have had to cancel in-person worship services, and switch entirely to online worship, as the congregation I serve has done. Some have held parking lot services, where people are still able to maintain appropriate distance. However, it is still not the same, because we are not able to enter the sanctuaries of our church buildings. While we have been able to worship at home, it is still something unfamiliar, because we have not been able to worship together in our sanctuaries. In certain places, because of recently-extended Stay-At-Home directives, it seems as though this situation will continue for a longer period.

 And yet, we are also reminded of a powerful truth: God is everywhere. He is not confined to one building. We worship in churches to have one focal point where we can gather together to have a safe and consistent place to worship God together, but God does not reside only in one place. He created the whole world, so He lives everywhere. Wherever we are, especially wherever we gather to worship Him, whether at home, or outside, or in a parking lot, God is still there. God's glory and power are also everywhere and accessible to us at any time, rather than in one particular place at one particular time. Because Jesus died and rose again, He removed the separation we had previously had from God because of sin, meaning we have access to God's power and help at all times. God keeps us safe and protects us - which is partly what the term "sanctuary" means - everywhere we are. He is even protecting us from danger as we venture out to go shopping, go to our places of employment, wherever we go.

 As the weather continues to change, we are also reminded that God's majesty exists in all parts of nature. Whether in a church building, or out in a forest, God's glory is present. God's glory is even reflected in the simple budding of trees, blooming of flowers, birth of new creatures, sunlight, and rain. God's dwelling place - another meaning of the word "sanctuary" - is everywhere, because He is everywhere, in the smallest and largest parts of creation. This also means that God lives in us, and that we are His sanctuary. More about that tomorrow.

 Dear God, thank you that you are everywhere, and you keep me safe and close to you everywhere I am.  In Jesus' Name' Amen.

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