Saved to be a sanctuary, and a kingdom

This is a psalm that talks about how God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, led them through the desert, and into the promised land.

From the partings of the Red Sea and the Jordan, to God’s appearance on Mount Sinai, to God’s provision of water in the desert, we see the awesome power of God in the lives of the people he loved.

But the words that strike me are found in verse 2.  After talking about Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the psalmist sings,

Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.  (Psalm 114:2)

Why did God do all these things for Israel? He did so that he might dwell amongst them, and that they might become his holy nation.

In the same way, God didn’t save us just so that we could go to heaven.  But he saved us that he might dwell among us and in us.  He saved us that so that we ourselves would become his temple.

More than that, as his people, we become part of the Kingdom he is building here on earth.

Peter put it this way.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  (I Peter 2:9)

Note that last part.  Why does he make us his sanctuary?  Why does he make us into this holy nation?

He does so that we may declare his praises to the world around us, that they too may come out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Lord, dwell within me, and let me be an emissary of your kingdom. 

Lord thank you for taking me out of darkness and bringing me into your light.  Use me to bring others into your light as well.  In Jesus’ name, amen.