The Sanctuary Of God’s Love - Sacred & Still: A 5-Day Lenten Devotional

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, ESV)

For many years, my back porch was a dusty space where pollen collected on the screens and wasps magically appeared every spring. Though we had outdoor furniture, there were some years when we didn’t even bother removing the dustcovers during the hot summer months because no one chose to sit there. It was an unused, unloved space.

Last year, we added a door from the main house and renovated the space into a four-season porch. We kept most of the windows but added a beautiful fireplace. Now, this once-overlooked space is where I spend a lot of time reading, writing, and working. From one of our swivel chairs, I have a bird’s-eye view of our backyard and the trees beyond it. I can listen to the frogs in the wetlands in the spring or cozy up to the fire when snow falls in the winter. It’s my sanctuary.

In our common vernacular, a “sanctuary” is a place of refuge and peace. It’s also the name for the room in a church or temple where people worship—the holiest of holy places. Historically, fugitives or debtors could even find asylum in these places, taking temporary refuge and avoiding arrest.

In the Old Testament, the sanctuary was a place that God told Moses to build for him, which served as a dwelling place for God: “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” (Exodus 25:8, ESV). Animals were sacrificed in sanctuary services as a way for people to atone for their sins. In the Old Testament sanctuary, a tabernacle (tent) included an outer room (the “Holy Place”), which was separated by a veil from an inner room (the “Most Holy Place”). Only a high priest could enter the inner room, and only once a year.

But the sanctuary took on a different format when Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins. In our new covenant with Jesus, we face a new reality: “Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24, ESV). In other words, with Jesus at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf, we no longer need to enter the sanctuary to find forgiveness and restoration. He sacrificed his body as our High Priest once and for all. Now, God’s dwelling place is not in a separate building but within us, as Paul reminds us: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV).

You and I need not go to a special room or even leave our house to access Jesus. It’s by God’s grace—rooted and grounded in love—that we are filled with the fullness of God through the Holy Spirit.

Now, God’s love is our true sanctuary, providing the refuge we need. On quiet days, he offers contented rest. On days when we feel unmoored, he’s our anchor. When we crave peace, he reminds us that we have all we need in him. When we’re at the end of our rope, he’s our lifeline.

With Christ in our hearts, we have access to the Most High God. We can enter his presence daily, hourly, or even in every moment. This week, let’s find the rest our souls need in the sanctuary provided by God’s love.

This Week’s Fasting Focus

Give others the gift of presence this week. Just as we have benefited from the sanctuary of God’s love and can access his presence anytime, anywhere, let’s resolve to give others greater access to our attention. Let’s be their safe space, their refuge, or even simply a source of love.

To do so, we’ll fast from the constant stream of entertainment and distraction provided by our phones, televisions, or social media accounts. Practically, perhaps this means deleting social media apps from your phone for the week or setting strict usage limits. Maybe it means putting aside your work emails at a specific time of day to give others your full attention. Perhaps it means playing a game or going for a walk with people you love instead of watching a show or scrolling social media. Write down your plan and then share it with a friend or family member as an added level of accountability.

Jesus, thank you for demonstrating your love and presence by example. Thank you for allowing us to find our sanctuary in you. May we do the same for others, becoming a soft place for them to land when they need an extra dose of love or care. Help us show up for those around us this week by setting aside distractions so that we can focus on what truly matters—loving God and others. In your name, we pray. Amen.