Enter the Sanctuary
Recommended Reading: Psalm 73
"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." (ESV) Psalm 73:16-17
Asaph writes in Psalm 73 of how the wicked prosper (V.3) and grow fat (V.4) with more than enough, while God's people are stricken and suffer. He struggles with this, wrestling with God on the subject of why those who deserve punishment, “increase in riches” (V.12)
Asaph begins his psalm by saying that "God is good to Israel, those pure in heart," (V.1) but adds, "{I} almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped." due to the envy he had for the wicked prospering. In verse 14 Asaph says, "All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning."
The personal battle he was fighting seemed to grow worse as he contrasted his plight with the abundance the wicked enjoyed. He was confused and bewildered by the facts before him; God's people suffer more than the children of darkness. It seemed so wrong. I think if we’re honest, it still seems wrong today.
But in verses 16 and 17, Asaph reveals a shift in perspective. One that we desperately need in our modern world full of brokenness, depression, and confusion. Asaph says,
"But when I thought how to understand this, (the prosperity of the wicked), it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." Psalm 73:16-17(ESV)
Asaph had been reminded that temporary prosperity in this life does not compare to the eternal prosperity of the next.
Notice the change in tone from verse 18 as Asaph now speaks of the wicked slipping and not himself. "Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin."
Did you notice what brought about this shift in perspective and change of priority?
Entering the Sanctuary of God.
In verses 21-22 Asaph admits that he was unable to use proper sense before he entered into God’s presence to worship in the Sanctuary.
"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you."
Asaph, before having the proper perspective by entering the sanctuary, was not someone God could freely speak to. He was like a beast that could not listen nor understand. He was shrouded in the emotions of pain and disappointment that clouded his discernment (the ability to separate and identify good and evil)
I can embarrassingly admit that I too have been like a senseless, ignorant brute at times. Allowing myself to become discontent with my life due to comparing myself to the prosperity of the wicked. I have even questioned God at times (*GASP*).
One of the endless things I love about my wonderful God is that He let’s me have bad days. He knows I will never be perfect on earth and I will struggle and wrestle with my flesh. So did Job, Jonah, Moses, Jacob, Peter, and everyone else in the word of God. But, He expects me to get back into His sanctuary to make it right.
It wasn't until Asaph entered God's sanctuary that he began to find the peace he so desired. He was reminded of the eternal implications of the wickedness that others chose versus the reward that awaits the believer.
He had his temporary perspective replaced with an eternal one. That’s what the sanctuary does. It realigns us with God’s will, refocuses us on Him, and gives us rest for our weary souls, amongst much more.
Now, you may wonder who Asaph was if he was given room in God’s holy word to write his thoughts. He was a musician, and not just any, he was the chief musician in the Temple of God. He wasn’t just a worshiper, he led the nation of Israel in guided worship. He is credited with at least eleven of the Psalms.
As the chief musician in the Temple, imagine heading to lead people in musical worship and prayer through song, only to have a burning sadness and an internal struggle warring on the inside. I'm sure Asaph was questioning how he could walk in to worship with a genuine heart, but when he entered the holy sanctuary, his entire perspective began to change. I am sure he was reminded of his calling, duty, and mantle. He was close to the presence of God that lived behind the curtain.
There's something powerful about the sanctuary of God, that place where I meet with Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth. It refocuses me when my sight is blurred and looking at the wrong things. It shifts my heart and desires.
Asaph writes in Psalm 73:25-26,
"Whom have I in heaven but you?" (revealing that nobody else could ever fill the God shaped hole in his heart but Yahweh. Nothing in heaven could fulfill him other than God.)
"And earth has nothing I desire besides you. (All earthly things he previously saw as desirable and signs of blessing have now become nothing as he worships in the sanctuary) “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Portion, meaning all that he could hold or possess. God is enough, so much so, that if he had it all, like the wicked, but did not have God, he would have nothing.)
He ends his psalm in verse 28,
"But as for me; it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
A sanctuary in the bible referred to a place separated and made holy unto the Lord. It was a place where you would go to dwell in His presence. Asaph found his refuge by meeting with God in the sanctuary. Today, we are the living temples/sanctuaries where God chooses to dwell. What does this mean?
That we are to make ourselves separate and holy unto the Lord. If we do not commune with God, we are an empty sanctuary, void of worship; hollow and barren. If we’re not careful, cobwebs will fill the pews of our hearts and God will be relegated to a once-a-week moment on Sunday mornings, where we turn the lights on for an hour to let Him know “He’s everything” to us.
We are lit with the fire of heaven that once lit the lampstands, but we must keep the oil full and burning. That only comes by a lifestyle of prayer and entering the sanctuary (a place separated and holy unto God)
When you're overwhelmed, enter the sanctuary.
When you're upset and confused, enter the sanctuary.
When you can't get your bearings and feel inundated with wickedness all around, enter the sanctuary.
It is your secret place, your church, your worship closet, your space, your living room floor. It is any place you can go to escape and dwell with God.