The Sanctuary

 

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. (Psalm 27:4-6 ESV).

 

This spring and summer have been one for the record books. The weather in Texas has been unpredictable and very dangerous. We have seen floods, hailstorms, tornados, high sheer-winds, and record-breaking heat. If ever there was a time to have a safe shelter in place it has been the last few months for many Texans. Our reading today uses the word “shelter” to describe the protection of God. It is actually the Hebrew word for “sanctuary.” In English it can refer to two different things. It describes a place that is holy, set apart for worship; and, it also describes a place of safety, where someone in danger can go to find shelter and protection.

 

Psalm 27 helps us understand how the two meanings of this word overlap. When we have received salvation from God, we are called to worship God. We go to the “sanctuary” to offer God our worship. We do this not for our own sake, but for God’s sake. God is holy and beautiful and calls us to worship him, so we offer God our worship.

 

But when we give God our worship, we receive a wonderful gift as well. Psalm 27 describes the presence of God as a place of safety. Because God is our Savior, we receive comfort and security in God’s presence. When we go to the sanctuary to worship God, we give God worship, and we receive peace from God. This is why the psalmist longs to worship God. The beauty of the Lord compels the psalmist to go to the sanctuary of the Lord and worship him.

 

We can rejoice in following God’s command to worship too. For as we worship God, we receive his comfort, peace blessing, strength, and renewed energy to live for him. God is our stronghold!