A SANCTUARY

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

Words have particular meaning as well as consequences if they are perverted. The news of late refers to the 200 Sanctuary Cities that have been designated in both the United States and Canada. It is defined as: “A term given to a city in the United States or Canada that follows certain practices that protect Illegal immigration. These practices can be by law (de jure) or they can be by habit (de facto).” The illegal immigrant who has found his way to a sanctuary city cannot be extracted from that city for any alleged crime for which he may be accused or for the purpose of deportation or inquiry made about his immigration status. In some ways, sanctuary cities are similar to the six cities of refuge mentioned in the Torah, Numbers 35. In verses 9-15, the parameters for the cities of refuge are: “…Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly…These six towns will be a place of refuge…so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.”

There is a narrower meaning and implication for a sanctuary. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary indicates the full meaning for Sanctuary is: “A consecrated place; The ancient Hebrew Temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies; The most sacred part of a religious building; The room in which general worship services are held; A place of refuge and protection; The immunity from law attached to a sanctuary.” The Psalmist expresses the heart-attitude one should have in terms of relationship to the Living God - Psalm 84:1-2. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Why should there be this longing after the Lord? In other Psalms (and elsewhere in Scripture) it is because of Who the Lord is and What he is for each one in relationship to Him. Some of the descriptive terms are, He is one’s Rock, Shield, Refuge, Fortress, Stronghold, Shelter, Hiding Place, Dwelling, Temple, Protection for those Under His Wings.”

A contemporary gospel song was written by Jessy Dixon (1938-2011) that focuses on one’s soul and body being a Sanctuary for the Lord. The lyrics might serve as a purposeful and personal prayer for each of us:

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

Pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living, Sanctuary for You.

It is you, Lord, Who came to save

The heart and soul Of every man.

It is you Lord, Who knows my weakness

Who gives me strength, With thine own hand.

Lead Me on Lord, From temptation.

Purify me From within.

Fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit,

Take away all my sin.

Lord prepare me to be sanctuary, 

Pure and holy, tried and true;

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living Sanctuary for You.

This is one’s potential in Christ. May it be completed in each of us by His grace alone. Consider these things with me!