Check the Sanctuary

 Have you ever felt like you were in a dry place? Being thirsty is super uncomfortable. If you become dehydrated, it may take more than water to quench it, too! In Psalm 63, David says that he is thirsty for God's presence. (v.1) He says that his soul and his flesh, all that he was, wanted God more than anything. Being separated from others and living in social isolation is one of the hardest parts and biggest adjustments of being a caregiver. But feeling separated from God is so much harder.

Sometimes, I've felt like God packed up and moved away. Yes, I still had faith, and I know that God doesn't even have the capacity to leave us. But my feelings try to say otherwise. Many times, I've found myself searching scriptures, sermons, songs, almost anywhere trying to find some shred of Him. I know He's there, I just don't feel it.

I wonder if this is some of what David was feeling as he penned verse 3. I have looked for you in the sanctuary. As I read this and related to David's desperation, I thought about the sanctuary he had in his day. It was at best a tabernacle, maybe even a fancy heavy-duty tent. The temple would not be built until his son, Solomon, was made king. 

Then, I thought about today. The "church" is not the sanctuary, although we call the biggest room the sanctuary. We are God's temple. Both collectively and individually. (1 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19) And while I am certainly NOT "looking within myself" to find God - I can rest assured that He is as close to me as I am! Lol. You might need to read that again.

As New Testament believers, we are His tabernacle, His temple. He lives in us. He is with each of us collectively and individually. So, I don't have to get in my vehicle and "go" anywhere to find Him. He is in my "here." If my "here" changes and I go to the store, therapy, or anywhere else, He's still in the "here" wherever that takes me.

I can take a good heart-felt look around this sanctuary - inspect my heart. Is it always pointed toward Him? Is He at the forefront of my intentions? Can I say that I follow Him with all that I have, even if it's small? It's okay to look in this clay-pot sanctuary and double-check that He is still welcome here. Even if we are in a dry place, a hard place, or traveling a long, dark road - He is still living in this sanctuary. I love that about God!

Today, I will remind myself that God is in my here - inside this tabernacle called a body. (We have this treasure in earthen vessels!!) My meditations will be on how He will not and cannot leave me, no matter what life throws at me. I'll think about how He chooses to walk this rocky road with us as caregivers, and I'll be grateful that He stays in us by His own choice. That makes me smile. I think I can trust Him for one more day, will you join me?

 Peace Out! It's in the Bible is a 31-day devotional that is focused on letting God's peace reign in our hearts - no matter what. You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the print and kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.