Christ, Our Sanctuary

Christ, Our Sanctuary

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

Israel had behaved badly. Because of their generally bad behavior, God would bring chastisement upon them in the form of exile and scattering. Ezekiel had a great heart for his people. He feared that God would make a full end of Israel. He questions, ‘Will you make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?’ God responds with the assurance that, although He has scattered them among the Gentiles, ‘yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ Here is a testimony to the Gracious Character of God. In evangelical terms, it brings us to Christ. We, at times, feel as if God has delivered us into a far off land, and removed us from all that is familiar and comforting. Perhaps that describes you today. For whatever reason, you feel as if you are isolated, and estranged. The Scripture demonstrates that Christ is the Sanctuary of His People when they find themselves in unfamiliar, inhospitable circumstances. Are we alone in the wilderness? Christ comes to us there, as He did to Elijah. Are we alone in the lion’s den? Christ appears there in the dark hours of the night. Are we tossed about in the midst of a disintegrating ship? Christ arrives with His assurances of peace and preservation. Christ is that High Tower where His most beleaguered people may resort in the face of the most distressing of circumstances. Look to Christ today. Fly to Christ today. He is Your Sanctuary.

O Christ, the Mighty Rock of our salvation,
like the feeble folk of old, we hide ourselves in You.
You are the Great Fortress of us, Your blood-bought people.
In You, our souls are utterly safe, for time and for eternity.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice