Sanctuaries

PresbyCan Daily Devotional

Psalm 26:8 – I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells. (NIV)
Psalm 84:10 – Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (NIV)
We all tend to get attached to the churches where we worship. Within the bricks and walls, stones and stained-glass windows, we find a womb-like sanctuary where we can feel the presence of God as we pray silently or praise God with others. Amidst a world which is always in a hurry and sometimes hostile, it's therapeutic and refreshing to find a place of peace and acceptance, faith and love.
Over many years, I've worshipped and served in different churches with varied ministries and missions, programs and projects that identified their congregational focus and practice of faith. No matter how different the churches were denominationally or spiritually, I always felt that I was in a place of peace where I experienced God's presence, whether it was a small country church or a grand Gothic cathedral. They were, and still are, special places to me, where heaven and earth seem to meet, where the Eternal One abides with mortal ones.
I think that the psalmist of old understood this, too, which is why he preferred God's company and the house where He lived, rather than sitting around with dishonest and deceitful people. In the midst of a culture that was destroying itself with greed and corruption, the writer of Psalm 26 took solace in being with God, away from the maddening crowd. This is something important that we still need today — a place of quiet in a noisy world, a sanctuary of hope in chaotic times.
Perhaps, you are undergoing a lot of pressure in your life. Maybe, you are in a situation that burdens you, or in the midst of circumstances that threaten to overwhelm you. Perhaps, you have been too strong or self-sufficient too long, and now feel stretched, exhausted, and vulnerable. Maybe, you don't know what to do or where to go. Can I suggest that you find a nearby church sanctuary where you can bring your heartfelt pleas and personal prayers to God? Like me, you probably need somewhere to lay down your burdens and just be embraced by the living and loving God. A local church building or even a large cathedral may be just what you're looking for. Try it and see.
Point to ponder: Where can I go to find God's peaceful presence in my life?
Prayer: Lord God, Whose presence abides on our planet and Whose blessing can be found in many places on earth, we seek Your peace and love to help us endure and overcome our problems and troubles. Guide us to a sanctuary where we can quietly pray, experience Your loving presence, and praise Your holy name. Amen.