Good morning on this Friday! Our scattering may well have divine purpose. We know from the Word that the Acts of the Apostles began with a great scattering, both in the garden at the Lord's arrest and later when Rome flexed its worldly might in persecution of the saints. The early church ended up spread over much of the world as flight became a priority for some, while death ended the careers of others. Of course, for those who believe in Jesus, we enter into our little sanctuary and realize the opportunity of new lands and people for the spreading of the Good News, and for those who have fallen, we try to taste a little of the joy of their reunion with the Son of God. In Ezekiel, a great scattering had taken place, while the city folk of Jerusalem looked down on those scattered, the Lord had some goodness to send to them by way of the prophet:
Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” ’ (Ezekiel 11:16)
A little sanctuary, I like that! A big sanctuary might be too much, not very portable in a foreign land and with a lot of unneeded space inside. A little sanctuary is just right for comfort, portability, and ease of use. We know that God and me can go anywhere inside His little sanctuary. In Him we are never alone. Though as a child of the King we may feel the tug of our homeland, in His little sanctuary we feel the comfort of His Spirit and the closeness of our relationship. Often, His little sanctuary is the very armor for our souls we need in the combat zone. A very persistent reminder of His goodness as the slings and arrows of the world zing by us. We so very need our little sanctuary of goodness in this bad, bad world. Thank you, dear Lord, for being our little sanctuary wherever we are scattered. Amen!
Bucky
No comments:
Post a Comment