“Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile."
Ezekiel 11:16
Ezekiel 11:16
Do you hear the tenderness of our Heavenly Father? He takes full responsibility and makes no apologies about the exile of the Israelites. Yet, He comforts them with these tender words. Let's read them again. (Read them aloud.)
"I will be a sanctuary to you during your time of exile."
Sanctuary in this verse is the Hebrew word miqdash (mik-dawsh). It means sacred place, sanctuary, holy place. The Sovereign Lord knew while in exile His children would need a place of refuge when times got hard. The Lord makes a promise to be a place of refuge for them. Oh, I just love this about our Lord. Even though He divinely allows us to be exiled we can count on His tenderness. We can count Him to supply for us a place of refuge when things get really tough.
What do we do in a sanctuary? We listen to His Word, pray and praise. This sounds simple enough. Simple in place of worship where everyone is free but difficult in a place of exile or captivity. I think of Paul and Silas. They were in prison and at midnight, after being beaten half to death, they turned their prison cell into a sanctuary by singing hymns of praise. I would offer to you the Lord was with them in their place of exile. He was their sanctuary. How do I come to this conclusion? Read the story and you will see for yourself: in the midst of their praise, the prison was shaken by an earthquake and their shackles were broken. Oh yes, their Sanctuary was in their sanctuary.
Praising the Lord in exile is difficult but is made easier knowing He will be our sanctuary. Won't you praise Him for being your sanctuary?
Praising the Lord in exile is difficult but is made easier knowing He will be our sanctuary. Won't you praise Him for being your sanctuary?
6 Comments:
Wendy: This was a scripture I underlined and then wrote in my journal. He is our sanctuary. What a comfort.
Wendy this is beautiful. I too underlined this passage. The Lord is my sanctuary.
Today my thoughts focused on Ez.13:10, “It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash!”
I was thinking of short cuts and quick fixes. Wanting to just 'get by'. Building "flimsy walls" instead of firm.
Where in my life am I trying to reinforce and brace “flimsy walls” that should be torn down? Not because the building isn’t needed, but because the construction is careless and the foundation weak.
Too often we try and paint over a poor effort, trusting in appearance. We think if everything looks good on the outside, superficiality will pass scrutiny. Maybe we’ll fool some, but those walls will fall in time, and certainly God recognizes the “whitewash”.
We build our lives on straw and twigs instead of brick. Brick building takes time. It’s hard work. It requires great effort. With God as our Cornerstone, we dig into His Word and apply the mortar of prayer. These two elements ground any building project so that a heavy rainstorm will not undermine it and great hailstones and mighty winds will not knock it down (Ezekiel 13:11).
Flimsy walls, no matter how beautifully decorated, won’t last. They will fail and fall. Being daily dedicated and devoted to the teaching of God’s Word and prayer will make for solid, stable walls that will succeed and stand.
Wendy, through your daily pursuit of God's Word, you are helping so many of us build firm walls that will stand when the storms come. Thank you again!!! You are so loved!!!!
Blessings,
Joy
I love this verse Wendy. Knowing that He is always there for us. Our shelter. Our refuge. Our safety. To be able to be in His presence no matter where we may be. Listening to His Word. Praying. Praising.
I was drawn to Ezekiel 11:19 & 20.
The prophecy given to Ezekiel also speaks to us Christians today! "And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God."
As we give up control of our hearts to God, He transforms us from the inside out.
Lord, today I seek You. I want an undivided heart. Fill me with Your Spirit today. Thank you for Your Presence. Thank you that You, are always with me. Always.
Amen.
Ezekiel 13:2
"Listen to the word of the LORD"
EnJOY the day dear friends! Lori-AZ
I loved this!! Awesome scripture. It's highlighted in my Bible.
And, I was jamming with the song, and my boys looked at me and turned up their radio so they couldn't hear Mama singing and praising!! Can you believe them??? Schol tomorrow!
Hugs!
Susan
Good evening my sweet friends. What a powerful reading today!
Wendy, thank you for picking up on this particular verse. I was
getting my Jesus on girl with that video. :-)
One of the things I have learned from some sweet sisters is to
put my name in the scriptures. There has been a theme in the reading for me. That is sometimes I look in the wrong places for help.
Although it is so much better,I long for a human ear their take on things. It feels like I have been exiled for so long.
Given my heart even a year ago I wouldn't have given God the glory
and sung during times of captivity. It feels so good today to be
able to do that.
Today it feels so comforting to say
"Diane, I will be a sanctuary to you during
your time of exile".
That my friends is a direct promise from my
Father!
Wendy I can close my eyes and see Paul and Silas.
Beaten, defeated and so broken just singing until
the Father with hymns of praise. How many times
do we stand before him beaten, defeated and broken?
Just recently I felt the prison walls shake and fall
all around me. I watched as the enemy stood in amazement
at the gracious blessings bestowed on my undeserving soul.
Praising Him and singing in my sanctuary!
Blessings and praise,
Diane
We are having our P31 bible study group tomorrow night. Can't wait!
Beautiful words in the midst of such turmoil... that is the hope we have! "I will be a sanctuary to you."
My thoughts were on Ez 13:20-21 "I will tear them from your arms setting my people free like birds set free from a cage... they will no longer be your victims."
My husband was watching a documentary of wild animals that had been held in captivity, and were being taken back to the wild. It was so sad to see some of these chimpanzees walk out of the cage, look around, and walk back into their cage. Others would bolt as soon as the door opened and climb the nearest tree, refusing to come down!
I want to be the one that bolts from the chains that bound me to my sins, and refuse to go back to that place. I want to live my life as a victor, not a victim, because I have been set free by the precious blood of my Savior!
Living wild and free!
Susan
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