Psalms 63:2-5 You Are My Sanctuary Let’s look at the author of this Psalm, King David, for a bit. Yes we are talking about the shepherd turned giant-killing, army leading, king, possibly the greatest king of Israel. He had family, friends, money, and power and lived in the lap of luxury but now he is now hiding in the desert. Why did this regal king give up his richly furnished palace; full of food, comforts and servants to run to a desolate wasteland? If we look in 2nd Samuel chapter 15 we read that David’s son, Absalom, conspired against him and that forced David to flee into the desert. And while in the desert David does what he does best; he prays to God about his circumstances. As Brock said, he compared the dry and weary land to a human soul, his soul, as he longs for God. David’s prayer Moving on to the second verse we see a change of pace as David prays about seeing God in the sanctuary. A sanctuary is a sacred and holy place, usually connected with safety and security. In many countries people seeking refuge could claim ‘sanctuary’ within a church, where they would be protected from the authorities and from persecution. Other types of safe havens include wildlife sanctuaries which are built for animals at risk, so that they can live in a peaceful and supportive environment, free from any outside harm. This is what David is referring to when he sees God in the sanctuary. God as a Sanctuary: Does this mean that he saw God in the sanctuary but the sanctuary is way over there and he’s not in it? No, not at all. The sanctuary is not beyond reach as it was in the Jewish culture. In Judaism only the high priest could enter the holy place and only on special occasions. The commoners could not enter. But this sanctuary is open to all, even a poor, outcast, refugee who used to be a king. This is a precursor to Christ’s coming as when Jesus came, the veil separating the holy from the common was torn and all could have access to the sanctuary. David must be within this sanctuary. Why? Well if we keep reading we see that David will glorify God with his lips in verse 3, more specifically with singing in the fifth verse and in verse 4 he will lift up his hands. The typical desert wanderer has parched lips and weak arms, how could someone glorify God through singing, an activity that requires a lot of lip movement, with cracked lips? How can weak hands be lifted up? The only way to lift up your hands or open your mouth in the desert is if you have been refreshed, if you have been invigorated. David makes it clear that God is his source of life, his water to quench thirst and his food to restore strength. David goes beyond the physical claiming his soul, his very essence of being, is satisfied. Satisfied means you’ve had enough you are content. I remember a sermon several months ago, about how content means you’re happy, even if you have to live in a tent. Likely, David was living in a tent, if he had anything to live in at all, and he was praying and praising God that he was satisfied in that situation. The Sanctuary Effect: Imagine the ragged soul, who’s roving through the desert, like the Israelites did for 40 years. Think about how they cried out for food and water until God provided it and they rejoiced. The desert wanderer upon finding this oasis, this life giving water and the rest that he’s been longing for is full of joy and relief as all their worries, aches and problems are washed away. David says ‘Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.’ Your love is better than life. God’s love is better than my life; this is coming from a man who could be very close to his death; living in a desert and being hunted by his son. Now where is David when he is being chased by his son? In his sanctuary, David seeks safety with God. He relies not upon his own strength, his army, his power, no; he calls only to his God, whose love is better than life. Now, what happened a couple thousand years ago? God showed, in the utmost way, how his love is completely more than life by sending Jesus, who gave up his life to show his love for us. David says that this love is more than life; it’s of more worth than his life. Now keep in mind that his life was full of riches, power and servants. We could work every day, become a millionaire several times over and maybe start to get an idea of how rich a king was. He had more than any of us will ever have and he was saying that that his life was less than God’s love. He’s right, of course, our material possessions; our earthly wealth can’t even hold a candle to God’s love. And David knew that. He knew God’s love provides more security than anything else. Where were David’s belongings when he was running? They were powerless, back at home. And where was God? Where was he? God was with David all the way. Coming to the Sanctuary: When David goes to his sanctuary, to God, he finds protection, not only from his human enemies but also from the natural elements. His fatigue, weakness and hunger are relieved and he can fully enjoy the presence of God. He knows that his enemies are powerless against the Almighty and the grip of affliction pales in the glory of the Holy One. Sins are forgiven and we can stop fretting about how horrible we are, we can come like David did, into God’s presence. When he prayed to God, he didn’t do it to complain about how bad he had it, or how unfair it was or what he wanted God to do to make himself happy. No. He praised God for being his provider, Jehovah Jireh. God is the safety, the rest, the sanctuary. When we run from our persecutors; whatever they may be, what is our strong tower? When we are faced with temptation, lust, pride, envy or any kind of sin, where do we go? Should we be looking to material and temporary things? Let’s look at what David says in Psalms 63 one more time. ‘I have seen you in the sanctuary’ Where is God? He is in the safe place; we are safe when we are with God. ‘Because your love is better’ not less than and not equal to ‘life, my lips will glorify you.’ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest food with singing lips my mouth will praise you.’ David prayed this while on the run, but he prays it with atmosphere of safety as if where he is, is his home. Because David treasured God, God is his home, his safeguard, his sanctuary. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 6 that ‘where your treasure is there your heart will be also,’ When we seek God first above all things, calling to him in the good times and the bad, we make him our treasure and enter into the sanctuary, where we find eternal safety, love and peace in the arms of our Father.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:08:06 +0000
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