The Sanctuary of God

This week, we are continuing to unpack the good news of peace as we go deeper in our journey as disciples of Jesus. We live in a world that is often the opposite of peaceful, so let’s ask Him to quiet the noise in our environments, our heads, and our hearts to hear what He wants to say to us today.

Oh Lord, my head swirls with the demands and responsibilities of life and the thousands of other voices competing for my attention. Please calm my anxious thoughts. I want to hear Your voice and experience Your peace today. Amen.

Psalm 73:2-3, 13-17, 21-26 (NLT)
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
    
      My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

3 For I envied the proud

     when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?

      Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

14 I get nothing but trouble all day long;

      every morning brings me pain.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others,

      I would have been a traitor to your people.

16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.

      But what a difficult task it is!

17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,

      and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

      and I was all torn up inside.

22 I was so foolish and ignorant—

       I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
23 Yet I still belong to you;

       you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

       leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

       I desire you more than anything on earth.

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

       but God remains the strength of my heart;

       he is mine forever.


Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, knows my exact thoughts! It’s comforting to know my frustration is a human experience that many others share. Seriously, minus the beautiful poetry, it’s as if this was taken directly from my journal. Are similar thoughts and feelings stirred in you as you read today’s scripture?

For years, I’ve been in a situation where I’ve watched the innocent (including myself) suffer and the wicked prosper, and it causes me serious grief and anger towards God because He isn’t intervening the way I want Him to. The situation has baffled my family and friends and oftentimes, has been too much for my heart, mind, and body. Have you experienced something like this? Did it draw you near to God or push you away from Him?

It’s so easy to view other people as wicked and us as righteous. But His word tells us that there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:1). The difficult circumstances I’m in make me furious with envy and disbelief when I try to figure out why it’s allowed to continue. However, when I decide to enter God’s presence, I am reminded that He is as merciful to others as He is to me, and I find peace toward Him and others.

In the time of Asaph, the only way to access God’s presence was in the innermost part of His sanctuary, which only appointed priests could enter. When Jesus died for us, He opened the door to God’s presence 24/7! It is in God’s sanctuary where we see clearly our own wickedness, remember His promises, and renew our trust in our good Father. What has drawn you into God’s presence recently? Is there something that has been keeping you out of God’s sanctuary?

God has graciously given us access to perfect peace through His presence. Typically this will not change our circumstances, but will bring peace to our hearts. I encourage you to enter God’s sanctuary today. You can use the prompts below to get started.

Holy Father, teach me what You want me to know in these difficult situations…

God, help me to trust in Your redemptive plans for my life…

He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, which includes us. Today, choose to be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:35-36).