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Devotional for April 21, 2020

We Are His Sanctuary

 "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22 NIV)

 Every week, as the children of the church I serve gather together for devotions, activity, and singing, one of their favorite songs they request frequently is "Sanctuary," which goes:

 Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

 The words for the song are never more true than now. Even though we cannot worship together in the sanctuaries of our church buildings, God is still with us. He is not limited or confined to one building, or one particular time of day: He is everywhere, present at any time. He loves us and always wants to be with us. This means that whenever and wherever we gather together for worship, whether in our homes, outdoors, or anywhere else, He is with us.

 Jesus also promises that wherever we gather together, even as a small group, He is there with us. And, whenever we do so, something happens: He not only is with us, but He is with us in power. He comes to live in us, and we become His sanctuary - the place where He dwells - as a result. His Holy Spirit comes among us to change and transform us. Whenever we hear His Word, He impacts us, changing us in a special way: to become more like Him. We are filled with more of a desire to follow Him. Our desire to follow Him results in hope, especially hope which comes from trusting that He is always with us and in control. We become more loving and compassionate as He is, being changed to reflect His nature. We especially are being changed for a special purpose: to bring Him to others.

 In this present time, the need to bring Jesus to others has become especially great. As more and more people become discouraged and despairing, especially over the effects of this pandemic, we are to bring hope to others, reminding them that Jesus is with them as much as He is with us. We are to bring joy to others who are sorrowing and despairing. We are to bring love to those who are isolated and feeling alone. We are to bring compassion to those who are struggling in any way because of the pandemic, whether from loneliness, a job loss, or any other situation - compassion which says that God is with them, is on their side, and we are also with them, on their side, and willing to help in any way. God changes and transforms us to become more like Him, so we can bring Him to others. He lives in us, so we can live for others.

 Dear God, make me a sanctuary, a place in which you live, so I can bring you and your love to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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