Sanctuary

Hiding Place

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt encompass me with songs of freedom.”

When the sun is beating down heavily upon us, don’t we look for shade to just cool off? When the cold night is bearing down hard on us don’t we look forward to getting back to the warm confines of our homes and family that comfort us? Don’t we all wish we had a place we could go far away from our anxieties and concerns where streams of mercy and love flow? So also when the pressures of life are bearing down hard on us don’t we look for that place where we can relax and regroup and refocus?

Jesus went away from his disciples or the crowds that followed him around to a secluded or solitary spot where he could pray (Ref.Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, 6:46, Luke 5:16).

Psalm 32 starts of so well. The Psalmist finds joy in knowing that his sins are forgiven. There are so many of us, who carry with us daily reminders of the things we did that we ought not to have. The consequences of actions done long time ago that still seem to haunt us time after time. Lent is a time when we come to God, and ask to find strength to let go of those encumbrances that come between God and us.

The pressures and pleasures of life make finding time to be with God impossible. Just as there is joy in living in Gods way there is always joy in straying away. But where does the straying away lead? In Christ we find peace in the things of the world we only find a craving for more.

When we are overwhelmed with fears and concerns of the day we can always find refuge in the shade of God’s love. A hiding place where we listen with our hearts. It is a time when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts and minds with the comfort and strength of his mercy and love. When we are weak and let down we can say we find strength to go on. The Lord reminds us that our God is love and wants us to come to him with our weaknesses that he may make us strong.