Finding Sanctuary

Have you found it a bit disheartening to see the economy plummeting, yet hear stories of how top executives are still going on lavish retreats?  We hear stories of those who run the mortgage companies and auto industries living the lifestyle of the rich and famous, while we struggle to put food on our table and pay our monthly utility bills.  It reminds me of what the psalmist was observing in Psalm 73.

He began to notice how the proud would prosper despite their wickedness.  They seemingly lived painless lives, with strong, healthy bodies.  They didn’t appear to be troubled like many who were daily plagued with one problem after another.  The wicked would even flaunt their pride – wearing it like a jeweled necklace.  It seemed as if they could boast and scoff against the Lord, yet face no punishment.

As the psalmist beheld these activities, he couldn’t help but have negative thoughts.  He even began to question God’s goodness.  He wondered if he had been serving the Lord in vain.  It is the same for us.  First, we begin to take our eyes off the Lord.  Next, we begin to magnify the circumstances we are in, as opposed to the God who rules those circumstances.  Our feet begin a slippery, downward slope; we find ourselves doubting the very God we have trusted for so many years. 

What are we to do?  The psalmist found a remedy in verse 17.  He went into the sanctuary.  Suddenly, his perspective began to change.  Instead of focusing on the seemingly prosperous lives of the wicked, he focused on their destiny.  He realized that while on the outside, it looked as if they were succeeding.  Yet, in reality, they were really heading over a cliff to destruction.  The dream they were currently living was going to come to an abrupt end.

Next, the psalmist realized that in spite of his foolish thinking, and his temporary doubts about God’s goodness, the Lord continued to hold his hand.  He realized that God had never left him.  God was still there, guiding him.  That realization leads him to declare, “Whom have I in heaven but You, Lord?” 

To adjust our focus, we also need to come to the sanctuary.  This “sanctuary” is more than just attending church.  It is living in God’s Word, for that is what will strengthen us.  Our health may fail us.  The shape of the economy may cause our spirit to falter and grow weak.  Yet God is strength of our heart.  He can only be the strength of our heart when we daily seek Him and diligently get into His Word to find the strength to sustain us in these uncertain times in which we live.

Go find your sanctuary in the Word of God today. 

© 2008, Stacy R Miller