DAY 5: THE SANCTUARY
Isaiah 8:14 (NIV) 14 “He will be a holy place (sanctuary); for both Israel and Judah, he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be trap and a snare”.
1 Peter 2:7-8 (NIV) 7 “Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
Devotional:
In the midst of life's tumultuous waves, where do we find our sanctuary? This is a question as old as time, yet its answer is eternally relevant. Today, let us look into the essence of Jesus Christ as our sanctuary, the refuge for our souls, as depicted in the scriptures of Isaiah and Peter.
The imagery presented in these verses is rich and layered. Jesus is described both as a sanctuary – a holy place of refuge and safety – and paradoxically, as a stone that causes people to stumble. This duality is not a contradiction, but rather a profound truth about the nature of our walk with Christ.
To those who believe, who have opened their hearts to the truth of the Gospel, Jesus is indeed precious. He is the cornerstone of our faith, the solid rock on which we build our lives. In Him, we find a place of rest, a refuge from the storms of life. In His presence, there is peace that surpasses all understanding, a calm amidst chaos.
However, to those who do not believe, who turn away from His message, this same Jesus becomes a stone of stumbling. It's not that Jesus Himself changes, but rather the response to His presence differs based on the condition of our hearts. When we resist His message, when we close our eyes to the light of His truth, we inevitably stumble.
This duality serves as a reminder of the profound impact of our choices. When we choose to trust in Jesus, to build our lives upon His teachings, we find safety and peace. But when we reject Him, we find ourselves lost and stumbling in the darkness.
So, what does it mean to experience Jesus as our sanctuary? It means recognizing the holiness of Christ and allowing it to transform our lives. It means seeing the filth of our sin and acknowledging our need for a Saviour. It means resting in His grace, knowing that in Him, we find forgiveness and a fresh start.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who offers Himself as a sanctuary for our souls. Help us to see the areas of our lives where we have resisted Your grace. Teach us to rest in the refuge of Your love, to build our lives on the solid foundation of Your truth. Transform us, Lord, into Your likeness, that we might reflect Your holiness and love to those around us.
Action Step:
Today, take a moment to reflect on how you have experienced Jesus as your sanctuary. How has He been a refuge in times of trouble? In what ways has He challenged you to grow and transform? Write down your thoughts and commit to seeking Him as your sanctuary each day.