the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
Ezekiel 11:16—Yet will I be to them a little sanctuary in the countries where they are come.
Away from the outward ordinances and the material edifice, the exiles would find more than the equivalent in God Himself. He would give them the reality, of which there had been the outward and visible emblems. Amid all their justly-deserved sufferings they would find a deep fountain of spiritual blessing and comfort in God’s presence.
To those who are deprived of the means of grace.—Sufferers in sick rooms, travellers in lonely and distant places, missionaries amongst the heathen. How often to such comes the vision of the country church, when the summer air stole into the open window, bringing the breath of flowers; or of the great City church, with the well-known voice of a beloved minister. They long for these again. But God will be all and more.
To those who cannot derive benefit from the services they attend.—The clergyman is Ritualistic, or the Free-church minister is broad in his views, and unsympathetic with the deeper moods of the spirit. Still, it may be your duty to attend for example’s sake; but waiting before the Lord, He will draw near and become your sanctuary.
To those who are exposed to danger and persecution.—In the olden time the sanctuary was a place of refuge. All who fled thither were in safeguard. So, let the driven soul haste to the folds of the Tabernacle of God’s presence. None can pursue it into that secret place. No weapon shall smite; and even envying voices shall die into subdued murmurs.
He that eateth the living bread—that confesseth Jesus to be the Christ—that keepeth his commandments—and that lives in love—dwells in God as his sanctuary, while God dwells in him as His.
