Finding Sanctuary: God's Presence in Our Trials
Summary
In the midst of life's trials and tribulations, God promises to be a sanctuary for His people, even when they are scattered and far from home. This message draws from Ezekiel 11:16, where God assures the Israelites in exile that He will be their sanctuary, a place of refuge and worship, even in foreign lands. The context of this promise is significant; it comes in response to the unkindness and scorn from those who remained in Jerusalem towards their exiled brethren. God, in His infinite grace, turns the cruelty of man into an opportunity to reveal His love and faithfulness.
God's people may find themselves in places of discomfort, chastisement, or even oppression, yet they remain under His divine protection. The trials they face are not without purpose; they serve as a means of refining and sanctifying them. God's chastisement is not a sign of rejection but of His loving discipline, intended to draw His people closer to Him. Even in the midst of adversity, God provides a "little sanctuary," a place of refuge and communion, where His presence is felt and His mercy is experienced.
This sanctuary is not a physical structure but a spiritual reality. It is a place where believers can find solace, worship, and communion with God, regardless of their physical location. God Himself becomes the sanctuary, offering His presence as a refuge and a place of stillness amidst the chaos of life. This divine sanctuary is a place of mercy, where God's grace is abundantly available, and a place of holiness, where believers are cleansed and sanctified.
In this sanctuary, God reveals Himself to His people, providing everything they need for their spiritual journey. He is the light, the bread of life, and the covenant keeper. As believers navigate the challenges of life, they are encouraged to rely on God as their sanctuary, finding in Him all that they need. This reliance on God prepares them for the eternal sanctuary, where they will dwell with Him forever.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Sanctuary in Exile: Even when we are far from home or in uncomfortable situations, God promises to be our sanctuary. His presence is a refuge and a place of worship, offering solace and communion wherever we are. This assurance reminds us that God's love and protection are not confined to physical locations but are accessible to us in all circumstances. [04:20]
2. Purpose in Chastisement: God's chastisement is not a sign of His rejection but of His loving discipline. It serves to refine and sanctify us, drawing us closer to Him. In our trials, we can find comfort in knowing that God's intentions are for our good, to cleanse and purify us for His purposes. [08:07]
3. The Portable Sanctuary: God Himself is our sanctuary, a place of refuge and worship that we carry with us. His presence is a constant source of comfort and strength, providing a haven in the midst of life's storms. This portable sanctuary is a reminder of God's nearness and His readiness to meet us wherever we are. [26:01]
4. Holiness and Mercy in God's Presence: The sanctuary is a place of holiness and mercy, where we are cleansed and find grace. God's presence purifies us and offers forgiveness, making it a place of condescension where He meets us in our need. This dual aspect of holiness and mercy is central to our relationship with God. [35:28]
5. Preparation for Eternal Communion: Our reliance on God as our sanctuary prepares us for eternal communion with Him. As we learn to live by faith and not by sight, we are gradually lifted above the visible and temporal, readying us for the eternal realities of heaven. This journey of faith is a preparation for the ultimate sanctuary in God's presence. [46:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - God's Promise of a Sanctuary
- [00:44] - The Context of Exile
- [01:24] - Unkindness and God's Response
- [02:24] - Comfort in Trials
- [04:20] - God's People in Exile
- [06:13] - Chastisement and God's Love
- [08:07] - Purpose in Suffering
- [10:01] - God's Hand in Our Circumstances
- [11:37] - Discomfort and Divine Placement
- [13:16] - Living Among the Ungodly
- [15:34] - Spiritual Barrenness
- [17:45] - Oppression and God's Favor
- [21:17] - God as Our Sanctuary
- [26:01] - The Portable Sanctuary
- [30:59] - Stillness in God's Presence
- [35:28] - Mercy and Holiness
- [41:28] - Cleansing and Sanctification
- [44:16] - Communion and Revelation
- [46:49] - Preparation for Eternity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 11:16
#### Observation Questions
1. What promise does God make to the Israelites in Ezekiel 11:16, and what is the significance of this promise in the context of their exile? [00:09]
2. How does the sermon describe the reaction of those who remained in Jerusalem towards the exiled Israelites? [01:24]
3. According to the sermon, what role does God's chastisement play in the lives of His people? [08:07]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's sanctuary for His people, especially when they are far from home? [26:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God being a "little sanctuary" challenge or expand the traditional understanding of a sanctuary as a physical place? [22:13]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that trials and chastisement serve a purpose in the spiritual growth of believers? [08:22]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the dual aspects of holiness and mercy in God's presence, and why are these important for believers? [35:28]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between earthly trials and preparation for eternal communion with God? [46:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt far from home or in an uncomfortable situation. How did you experience God's presence as a sanctuary during that time? [04:20]
2. How can you view current challenges or trials in your life as opportunities for spiritual refinement and growth? [08:07]
3. In what ways can you carry the "portable sanctuary" of God's presence with you in your daily life, especially in moments of stress or chaos? [26:01]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of holiness and mercy in your relationship with God, and how might this impact your interactions with others? [35:28]
5. Consider how your reliance on God as your sanctuary is preparing you for eternal communion with Him. What steps can you take to strengthen this reliance? [46:49]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to experience God's mercy and forgiveness. How can you seek His presence in that area this week? [35:44]
7. Think about a situation where you felt spiritually barren or distant from God. What practical steps can you take to reconnect with Him and find solace in His sanctuary? [15:34]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence as Our Refuge
In times of exile or discomfort, God promises to be a sanctuary for His people, offering solace and communion wherever they are. This assurance reminds us that God's love and protection are not confined to physical locations but are accessible in all circumstances. The Israelites, while in exile, experienced God's presence as a refuge, a place of worship, and a source of strength. This spiritual sanctuary is a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, God is near, ready to provide comfort and peace. [04:20]
Ezekiel 11:16 (ESV): "Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel exiled or distant from God? How can you invite His presence to be your sanctuary today?
Day 2: Refinement Through Loving Discipline
God's chastisement is not a sign of rejection but of His loving discipline, intended to refine and sanctify His people. The trials we face serve a purpose, drawing us closer to God and aligning us with His will. In the midst of suffering, we can find comfort in knowing that God's intentions are for our good, to cleanse and purify us for His purposes. This process of refinement is a testament to God's love and commitment to our spiritual growth. [08:07]
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What current trial or challenge might God be using to refine you? How can you embrace His discipline as an act of love?
Day 3: The Ever-Present Sanctuary
God Himself is our sanctuary, a place of refuge and worship that we carry with us. His presence is a constant source of comfort and strength, providing a haven in the midst of life's storms. This portable sanctuary is a reminder of God's nearness and His readiness to meet us wherever we are. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to rely on God as our sanctuary, finding in Him all that we need. [26:01]
Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."
Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence as your sanctuary throughout your day? What practices can help you remain connected to Him?
Day 4: Experiencing Holiness and Mercy
The sanctuary is a place of holiness and mercy, where we are cleansed and find grace. God's presence purifies us and offers forgiveness, making it a place of condescension where He meets us in our need. This dual aspect of holiness and mercy is central to our relationship with God, inviting us to experience His grace and transformation. In His presence, we are made whole and equipped to live out His purposes. [35:28]
Isaiah 6:6-7 (ESV): "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"
Reflection: In what ways do you need to experience God's holiness and mercy today? How can you open your heart to His cleansing and grace?
Day 5: Preparing for Eternal Communion
Our reliance on God as our sanctuary prepares us for eternal communion with Him. As we learn to live by faith and not by sight, we are gradually lifted above the visible and temporal, readying us for the eternal realities of heaven. This journey of faith is a preparation for the ultimate sanctuary in God's presence, where we will dwell with Him forever. [46:49]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal in your daily life? What steps can you take to prepare for eternal communion with God?
Quotes
"although i have cast them far off among the heathen and although i have scattered them among the countries yet will i be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come ezekiel 11 16 a little sanctuary a sermon intended for reading on lord's day january the 8th 1888 by c h spurgeon" [00:00:04]
"the lord hears the unkind speeches of the prosperous when they speak bitterly of those who are plunged in adversity read the context son of man thy brethren even thy brethren the men of thy kindred and all the house of israel holy are they unto whom the inhabitants of jerusalem have said get you far from the lord unto us is this land given in possession" [00:01:20]
"many a time the cruel word of man has been the cause of a tender word from god because of the unkindness of these people therefore god in loving-kindness addressed in words of tender grace those whom they despised as in our savior's days the opposition of the pharisees acted upon the savior like a steel to the flint and fetched bright sparks of truth out of him" [00:01:50]
"if you ask where they may be the answer to the question is first that they may be under chastisement if you will remember in the book of deuteronomy god threatened israel that if they as a nation sinned against him they should be scattered among the nations and cast off among the heathen many a time they so sinned" [00:04:55]
"and yet though they were under chastisement god loved them and had a choice word for them which i will by and by endeavor to explain to you for the lord said although i have cast them far off among the heathen yet will i be to them as a little sanctuary beloved you and i may lie under the rod of god" [00:07:07]
"and yet for all that the lord may have sent the chastisement in love and in nothing else but love and he may intend by not our destruction but the destruction of the flesh not our rejection but our refining not our curse but our cleansing let us take comfort seeing that god has a word to say to his mourners into his afflicted" [00:08:05]
"god tempers our afflictions severe though they may seem to be and though apparently he strikes us with the blows of a cruel one yet there is a depth unutterable of infinite love in every stroke of his hand his anger endureth but for a night he hastens to display his favor listen to his own words of overflowing faithfulness" [00:09:06]
"the lord hath not cast away his people even though he has cast them far off among the heathen he has scattered them among the countries but they are not absorbed into those countries they still remain a people separated unto the living god in whom he will yet be glorified but assuredly the chosen seed came under chastisement" [00:06:20]
"the lord jesus christ himself is the true place of worship for saved souls there is no chapel in the place where i live says one i'm sorry to hear it but chapels are not absolutely essential to worship surely another cries there is no place of public worship of any sort where the gospel is now fully and faithfully preached" [00:27:21]
"god himself his own presence makes a place of worship do you not catch the fullness of the thought yonder is jacob he lies down to sleep in a desert place with a stone for his pillow no bishop had ever been upon the spot to consecrate it no service had been held in the place by way of dedication" [00:28:51]
"god blows out our candles and makes us find our light in him to prepare us for that place in which they need no candle for the glory of god is their light and where strange to tell they have no temple for the lord god almighty and the lamb are the temple thereof the holy leads to the holiest" [00:46:18]
"god will be to you as a little sanctuary that is to say he will bring to you everything which was laid inside that holy place though but one piece of furniture yet that ark of the covenant did really contain in itself and round about it all that the heirs of god can ever need while in this wilderness" [00:44:09]
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